CEBC Congratulates Successful Proponents of BC Hydro’s Call for Power, Applauds Historic Advancements in Reconciliation and Clean Energy Development
December 10, 2024
The Clean Energy Association of British Columbia (CEBC) congratulates the successful proponents of BC Hydro’s historic call for power. The selection of new wind energy projects – including multiple CEBC members – marks a major milestone in advancing reconciliation, economic growth, and clean energy development across the province.
“The Clean Energy Association of British Columbia congratulates the successful proponents of BC Hydro’s call for power, which advances reconciliation through Indigenous ownership and will deliver economic benefits for all British Columbians. This procurement marks historic and tangible progress on climate action and reconciliation. Accelerating these projects will solidify BC’s position as a global clean energy leader and bring affordable, clean electricity to our grid—enabling the sustainable growth and electrification of our communities and industries,” said Kwatuuma Cole Sayers, Executive Director of CEBC.
BC Hydro has announced 30-year electricity purchase agreements with nine clean and renewable wind energy projects, representing a significant step toward ensuring a clean, and affordable energy future for British Columbia. These projects will provide approximately 5,000 gigawatt hours of electricity annually—enough to power 430,000 homes—boosting BC Hydro’s energy supply by 8 per cent. According to the Government of BC, the average price of power from the successful projects in this call is about 40% lower than BC Hydro’s last call for clean power in 2010.
CEBC commends BC Hydro for requiring a minimum requirement of 25 per cent First Nations equity ownership in these projects, a target that has been surpassed with an average of 50 per cent equity ownership achieved. This level of Indigenous participation reflects a transformative commitment to reconciliation, providing First Nations with opportunities for self-determination, long-term revenue streams, and economic sovereignty.
“These projects demonstrate how clean energy can foster collaboration and create shared prosperity,” added Sayers. “By embedding equity into the framework of clean energy development, BC is setting a model for the rest of the world.”
The selected projects represent up to $6 billion in private capital investment across BC, with $3 billion under First Nations ownership. Geographically diverse, these projects span nearly every region in the province, creating approximately 2,000 jobs annually during construction. The projects are expected to begin coming online by late 2029, with full operational capacity reached by fall 2031.
BC Hydro’s call for power is part of a forward-looking strategy to meet BC’s growing energy needs while keeping rates affordable for businesses and residents. As the province continues to experience population growth and economic expansion, the commitment to regular, competitive calls for power every two years ensures BC remains a global leader in clean energy and electrification.
CEBC will continue to collaborate with BC Hydro, First Nations, industry, and government to accelerate clean energy development and deliver the benefits of sustainable growth to all British Columbians. The Association is encouraged by BC’s intention to exempt the selected wind projects and all future wind projects in the province from environmental assessment, while ensuring First Nations interests and environmental mitigations are protected and maintained.
