BC Hydro gains capacity to avoid brown outs

The British Colombia Utilities Commission has given the go-ahead for a new $285 million (€ 173 million) gas-fired plant to supply Vancouver Island. BC Hydro plans a 25-year power purchase agreement with Duke Point Power for the output from the 262 MW plant that is to be built near Nanaimo by Alberta-based Pristine Power.

In 2003, the Utilities Commission rejected an almost identical plan by BC Hydro after the group had spent some $120 million (€ 73 million) on the project.

The plant is expected to begin commercial operations before the winter of 2007.