BC Hydro pursues increased base-load power from dependable sources

BC Hydro pursues increased base-load power from dependable sources

VANCOUVER - BC's Power Crusade

British Columbia's power juggernaut, BC Hydro, has kicked off a mission to beef up the province's consistent electric supply, aiming to cater to the ever-growing energy needs of residents and industries.

Energy Minister Adrian Dix confirmed on Wednesday that BC Hydro is soliciting proposals from various contenders to bring geothermal or hydroelectric projects to the table, aiming to extend the long-term power capacity and meet peak demands.

In an additional move, BC Hydro has issued a call for partners who can deliver cutting-edge technologies capable of enhancing energy conservation efforts across the province, with a focus on homes and buildings.

Dix emphasized that this initiative is all about aligning B.C.'s growth potential with a steady and economical electricity supply.

"It's bloody crucial for our system," Dix declared at a press conference alongside BC Hydro chief executive Chris O'Riley. "Not only does it allow us to accommodate relatively low-cost, unpredictable energy sources like wind and solar, it's also going to fuel our economy when we've never seen such a demand for electricity and potential for growth."

BC Hydro's expansion plans may encompass an assortment of projects, including "pumped storage" hydro power generation, a system that pumps water into an elevated reservoir during off-peak hours, then lets it flow downstream to produce power during peak consumption periods.

The precise amount of additional baseload power BC Hydro is seeking remains undecided, as the utility is casting a wide net to explore a multitude of potential solutions.

"There's no set number," Dix clarified. "The reason for this call for proposals, the expedited timeline, is we want to see what's out there."

While BC Hydro is on a quest for more stable power sources, the technology being sought in the second request is equally vital to B.C.'s energy puzzle, according to O'Riley.

"We're also chasing energy efficiency because, as ridiculous as it may sound, the cleanest and most affordable energy is the power we don't use," he said. "As part of our broadened $700 million energy efficiency program, we're on the hunt for partners who can bring market-ready technologies that significantly boost energy efficiency in residential and commercial properties across B.C., helping our customers save power and cash."

Acceptance for applications in both the baseload power generation and energy-saving technology sectors will conclude in September.

BC Hydro faces a prolonged drought that forced the province to import electricity during the last fiscal year. The Crown utility disclosed that 13,600 gigawatt hours of power were imported in 2024, accounting for 22% of all B.C.'s power. However, British Columbia has served as a net electricity exporter for eight of the last 15 years.

The utility issued a call for power from renewable sources last year, later selecting nine wind and one solar project. Despite this, these projects differ from baseload projects as they rely on unpredictable factors.

Dix downplayed the idea that recent drought conditions and the province's reliance on imported power influenced the decision to seek more baseload capacity, pointing out that this year's conditions appear more favorable than last year's, although they are still battling the effects of drought.

"This power grab... isn't about water shortage or the need to import power," Dix stated. "It's about the growth of our economy, the opportunities in mining, and the surging requests for power that are at an all-time high. We've got to build clean electricity, which is one of our key economic strengths in B.C."

"We are home to many more residents than in the past... and we aim to position ourselves to develop B.C. the way we did in the '60s, which drove a period of rapid economic growth," he added.

This story was first published by The Canadian Press on June 4, 2025.

Insight: BC Hydro is focusing on expanding the province's power grid by pursuing geothermal, hydroelectric, and pumped storage projects while also seeking innovative energy efficiency technologies. Efforts to boost B.C.'s baseload capacity span various initiatives, including the recently completed Site C dam, the addition of battery storage capacity, and the Clean Power Action Plan. The Clean Power Action Plan focuses on enhancing energy security and resilience, although specific baseload capacity targets for this plan have not been disclosed.

1. British Columbia's energy industry is keen on enhancing the province's power supply to cater to both residents and businesses, with BC Hydro seeking proposals for geothermal or hydroelectric projects to extend the long-term power capacity and meet peak demands.
2. BC Hydro is also calling for partners who can deliver advanced technologies capable of improving energy conservation efforts, with a focus on homes and buildings, as part of an extended $700 million energy efficiency program.
3. In Toronto's finance sector, there is a growing interest in investments related to the renewable-energy industry, given BC Hydro's recent push for more stable power sources and energy-saving technologies.
4. The economy of British Columbia stands to benefit significantly from these energy initiatives, as they will fuel the province's economy during a time of unprecedented electricity demand and potential for growth.
5. BC Hydro's plans for future power generation include pumped storage hydro power generation, as well as potential solutions from the wide range of proposals they are currently considering to increase the province's baseload power capacity.

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