Hydro halts new independent power deals
B.C.Hydrosaysit won’t sign any new agreements for independent power projects until it gets the results of a review into its operations by the new NDP government.
The Crown power corporation announced five small-scale First Nations clean energy projects Wednesday and said it would not finalize any more deals with private energy providers until it receives government direction.
“B.C. Hydro supports the government’s decision to take a closer look at energy procurement to ensure it provides the best value for its customers through their reviewofB.C.Hydrothisyear,” Hydro said in a statement.
“As a result, there are no plans at this time to issue any additional electricity purchase agreements until the review is complete.”
Independent power production has been a contentious issue within Hydro for years. In opposition, the NDP frequently complained Hydro had been forced by the provincial government to enter into deals in which it was contractually obligated to buy unnecessarily expensive privately generated power that it did not need.
Private power proponents say they provide smaller, less intrusive, clean sources of energy that benefit Hydro outside of its largescale hydroelectric dams and other power-generating sources.
The NDP government is conducting an operational review of Hydro after the independent B.C. Utilities Commission ruled this month that Hydro could not afford to freeze rates for a year as the NDP wanted. Energy Minister Michelle Mungall has described Hydro’s finances as “a mess.”
The five new First Nations projects are described as small or micro energy deals:
Tsilhqot’in Solar — a one-megawatt solar power project led by the Tsilhqot’in National Government near Hanceville.
Siwash Creek — a 500-kilowatt hydroelectric project in partnership with Kanaka Bar Indian Band near Boston Bar.
Sarita River — a five-megawatt hydroelectric project led by Huuay-aht First Nation near Bamfield.
Sukunka Wind — a 15-megawatt wind power project led by Saulteau First Nations near Chetwynd.
Zonnebeke Wind — a 15-megawatt wind power project with West Moberly First Nations near Chetwynd.