Innergex Signs Electricity Purchase Agreement with BC Hydro for the Stewart Creek Wind Project
January 8, 2025
Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. is pleased to announce the signing of a 30-year electricity purchase agreement (EPA) with BC Hydro for the electricity to be generated by the Stewart Creek wind project (200 MW), in partnership with West Moberly First Nations. Located approximately 60 km east of Innergex’s Dokie Wind Farm, the community wind project represents a step forward in the transition to clean, renewable energy for British Columbia.
“We thank West Moberly First Nations for their trust and collaboration on the Stewart Creek Wind Project,” said Michel Letellier, President and Chief Executive Officer of Innergex. “We are proud to work alongside them to bring more clean energy to the region while honouring the land and values of West Moberly First Nations and other First Nations in the area. Partnerships with Indigenous communities represent a cornerstone of our approach to renewable energy development, reflecting our commitment to advancing projects that prioritize Indigenous values while contributing to economic, environmental, and social progress. This milestone reflects the strength of our development portfolio, and our shared commitment to advancing British Columbia’s energy transition. Expanding our Canadian wind portfolio through projects like Stewart Creek demonstrates our focus on disciplined growth, fostering regional sustainability, and creating value for all stakeholders.”
A Project Rooted in Collaboration and Engagement
The Stewart Creek Wind Project is being developed in close collaboration with First Nations in the area. Guided by collaborative land-use planning, the project integrates cultural preservation, environmental stewardship, and economic empowerment for Indigenous communities in the Peace River region.
The project is expected to create approximately 150 job opportunities during development, construction, and operation phases, supporting local economic growth and workforce development.
Transparent and inclusive consultation is central to the project, with engagement initiatives such as public open houses, media outreach, project-specific communications, and job fairs to commence in the near future. These efforts aim to foster open dialogue, build lasting relationships with surrounding Nations, municipalities, and stakeholders, and ensure that local communities are involved at every stage.
Environmental and Community Benefits
The Stewart Creek Wind Project will deliver numerous environmental and community benefits, including:
- Powering 60,000 Homes: With an estimated annual generation of 600 GWh, the wind farm will provide enough renewable electricity to power approximately 60,000 households, helping to meet BC Hydro’s goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and advancing clean electrification.
- Support for Local Air and Water Quality: The Stewart Creek project will help replace fossil fuels with clean energy in the region, improving air and water quality while enhancing the local infrastructure to support the electrification of industrial operations, reducing emissions in the long term.
- Commitment to Sustainability and Environmental Protection: The project minimizes environmental impact by avoiding sensitive cultural and ecological resources. It integrates sustainability at every stage, with remediation practices to restore the land, preserve cultural values, and enhance biodiversity and wildlife habitats if decommissioned.
The project is scheduled for commercial operations in 2030. The long-term electricity purchase agreement with BC Hydro (S&P credit rating: AA-) is structured as a 30-year take-or-pay contract, indexed to a predefined percentage of the Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) ensuring financial stability and protection against inflation.
The project is subject to the execution of contracts with suppliers, and to the successful completion of permit application processes and regulatory requirements.
