The energy industry in British Columbia, Canada has been a battleground for years. Multiple polarizing issues including First Nations land rights, environmental issues, union concerns, and economic uncertainty are intertwined in a complex minefield that many politicians and stakeholders don’t want to go near.
In June 2008, BC Hydro announced the Clean Power Call Request for Proposals in an attempt to accommodate the intimidating projections for British Columbia’s future energy needs. As of May 6, 2010, 25 green energy projects have been approved by BC Hydro and 16 of those are hydroelectric projects.
Types of Hydroelectric Power in British Columbia’s Green Energy Industry
- Run-of-River - Also known as “Diversions,” run-of-river energy production facilities involve diverting a portion of a river’s flow and using it to spin a turbine and generate energy.
- Storage Hydro - Also known as “Impoundment." Storage hydro involves the use of a dam to store river water in a reservoir. As water is released from the reservoir, it spins a turbine and generates energy.
Hydroelectric Projects Supplying Green Energy to BC
25 green energy projects have been awarded energy purchase agreements (EPAs) under BC Hydro’s Clean Power Call. Of these 25 green energy projects, 16 are hydroelectric power projects (15 run-of-river and 1 storage hydro). The total output of these 16 hydroelectric power projects is estimated to be 1,614 GWh/year.
Run-of-River Green Energy Projects Receiving Clean Power Call EPAs:
- C-Free Power Corp. - 41 GWh/year - Gold Bridge
- Cloudworks Energy Inc. - 110 GWh/year - Harrison Hot Springs
- Cloudworks Energy Inc. - 44 GWh/year - Mission
- Cloudworks Energy Inc. - 56 GWh/year - Harrison Hot Springs
- Creek Power Inc. - 143 GWh/year - Pemberton
- Creek Power Inc. - 48 GWh/year - Pemberton
- Creek Power Inc. - 34 GWh/year - Pemberton
- ENMAX-Syntaris Bid Corp. - 56 GWh/year - Culliton Creek (Squamish)
- Kwagis Power Limited Partnership - 183 GWh/year - Port McNeill
- Pacific Greengen Power’s - 148 GWh/year - Bremner/Trio project (Harrison Hot Springs)
- Plutonic Power Corporation and GE Energy Financial Services Company - 214 GWh/year - Powell River
- Run of River Power Inc. - 68 GWh/year - Mamquan (Squamish)
- Selkirk Power Company Ltd. - 86 GWh/year - Golden
- Stlixwim First Project Corp. and Stlixwim Partnership (NI Hydro Holding Corp.) - (3 projects)198 GWh/year - Sechelt
- Swift Power Corp. - 46 GWh/year - Terrace
Storage Hydro Green Energy Project Receiving a Clean Power Call EPA:
- Long Lake Joint Venture - 139 GWh/year - Long Lake (Stewart)
Advantages of Generating Green Energy through Hydroelectric Power in BC
- No atmospheric pollutants or toxic byproducts
- Renewable
- Low operation/maintenance costs
- Promotes energy independence
- Job creation
Disadvantages of Harnessing Hydro Power Sources for Green Energy in BC
- High start-up costs
- Long-term planning is necessary
- Dependent on precipitation
- May disrupt natural habitats
- Large dams may involve population displacement
Is hydroelectric power the best way to produce green energy in BC? While there are strong arguments for and against the use of both storage hydro dams and run-of-river projects in British Columbia, the fact is that hydroelectric power, along with wind power, is one of the most viable sources of green energy for BC. Coming to a satisfactory outcome for all stakeholders will involve striking a precise balance between environmental concerns, social effects, and economic issues.
Sources:
U.S. Department of Energy
BC Hydro
Sustainable Hydropower website
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