BC Hydro to Invest $36 Billion in Expansion of Electrical Infrastructure

BC Hydro, the Crown-owned utility, is set to invest a staggering $36 billion in expanding its electrical infrastructure in British Columbia. The announcement was made by B.C. Premier, David Eby, during a resource forum in Prince George. This investment marks a significant increase from the previous capital plan, demonstrating the utility’s commitment to meeting the growing demand for electricity in the province.

The updated 10-year capital plan, known as Power Pathway: Building BC’s energy future, outlines various infrastructure projects to be undertaken between 2024-25 and 2033-34. These projects aim to address the increasing electricity demand attributable to population growth, housing construction, industrial development, and the transition from fossil fuels to clean electricity.

The plan emphasizes the need for an unprecedented level of construction to ensure that the electrical system can meet the upcoming challenges. Almost $10 billion will be allocated to electrification and emissions-reduction infrastructure projects, signifying a significant increase from the previous $1 billion investment.

BC Hydro’s capital plan includes a broad range of projects spread across communities and regions in the province. These projects will not only cater to the demand for electricity but also contribute to reducing pollution, creating jobs, and opening new opportunities for the economy.

The capital plan focuses on the following initiatives:

• Expanding transmission and distribution infrastructure;
• Enhancing electrification and emissions-reduction;
• Improving renewable energy integration;
• Investing in innovation and research;
• Modernizing existing infrastructure;
• Sustaining capital assets; and
• Ensuring resilience in the face of extreme weather events.

BC Hydro’s completion of the Site C hydroelectric dam on the Peace River is expected to add an extra 1,100 megawatts of capacity by next year. In the meantime, BC Hydro will issue a “call for power” this spring, inviting private entities to propose new clean-power projects for the grid, a move not carried out for the past 15 years.

The investment in infrastructure expansion comes as BC Hydro faces challenges due to extreme weather conditions and growing electricity demand. The utility has been importing record amounts of electricity to compensate for domestic shortfalls caused by persistent droughts and depleted hydroelectric reservoirs. These challenges have prompted the utility to take measures to ensure its system’s resilience in the face of extreme weather.

The Western Electricity Coordinating Council, which monitors reliability across B.C., Alberta, and 14 western U.S. states, has highlighted the need for continued effort to meet the changing electricity demands arising from extreme weather events and other factors.