Vancover/CMEDIA: British Columbia (BC) and BC Hydro with its Power Smart 2.0 plan reportedly are entering a new chapter of clean-energy expansion in Powering Growth, Fueling Opportunity, strengthening communities and supporting long-term economic development.
BC Hydro’s Power Smart 2.0 plan will help drive economic growth throughout the province, generating an estimated $1.4 billion in GDP and supporting approximately 3,500 jobs each year.
“This is B.C. and BC Hydro’s defining opportunity to build on our clean energy advantage…Rising demand for clean electricity is a good thing and shows our plans to build B.C. and grow our economy are working. Now, we’re planning ahead with renewed long-term vision to power growing communities, support industry and keep our economy strong,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions.
Approximately 9,700 direct full-time jobs would be created by The North Coast Transmission Line project contributing nearly $10 billion per year to GDP, and generate approximately $950 million annually in incremental public revenue for the Province and municipal governments.
Expected to rise significantly in the coming decades by approximately 50% by 2050, electricity’s Peak demand occurs during the coldest days of the year when electricity use is highest, and is expected to increase by 44%.
To ensure homes, businesses and industries continue to have access to clean, reliable and affordable electricity, BC is building on one of the world’s cleanest electricity systems, generating 98% clean and renewable electricity, and most affordable in North America.
Conserve, optimize, build
BC’ plans to meet rising demand by expanding reliable energy-efficiency programs with overall supply projected to increase by 25% — enough to power approximately 1.5 million homes — and bringing the John Horgan Dam and Generating Station into service, completing two calls for power.
Building on the legacy of past investments with a layered approach focused on three core actions – conserve, optimize and build – advancing them in parallel, the plan prioritizes the cost-effective opportunities.
“Generations of building trades members have built the hydro infrastructure British Columbians have depended upon…BC Hydro as it enters this next chapter to optimize and build the future projects and the energy our province will need,” said Brynn Bourke, executive director, BC Building Trades.
Conserving the power BC has
Energy efficiency being the quickest and lowest-cost way to meet demand, BC Hydro’s new Power Smart 2.0 program — including expanded rebates, free smart thermostats, enhanced low-income supports and increased incentives for businesses — represents more than $1 billion in investment over three years and expected to deliver 800 megawatts of capacity savings and 2,200 gigawatt hours of annual energy savings by 2030, enough to power 220,000 homes.
Optimizing existing infrastructure
Upgrading and modernizing existing hydroelectric facilities through its Resource Smart approach, BC Hydro’s key projects include adding a sixth generating unit at Revelstoke Generating Station, upgrading generating units at the G.M. Shrum Generating Station, and additional system enhancements.
Expected to provide approximately180 jobs at peak construction in 2029, the Revelstoke 6 project – adding a sixth generating unit at the Revelstoke Generating Station – would generate approximately $60 million in local spending on goods, materials and services.
Together, these upgrades will add more than 1,000 megawatts of new dependable capacity – approximately a 7% increase – at lower cost and environmental impact than new builds.
Building, planning, exploring for the future
To support continued growth, B.C. is planning ahead by exploring new sources of clean, dependable electricity and strengthening the grid that connects communities and industries.
- BC Hydro is in the early stages of exploring two potential large hydroelectric projects: Site E on the Peace River (up to 750 megawatts) and Homathko near Bute Inlet (up to 900 megawatts). While no decisions have been made, early exploration ensures the province is prepared to meet future capacity needs.
- To complement large hydro, BC Hydro is also evaluating a range of additional resources, including geothermal opportunities, expanded biomass as a reliable winter capacity resource, utility-scale battery storage of up to 400 megawatts, and emerging technologies that enhance system flexibility.
- At the same time, BC Hydro is advancing critical transmission investments to support reliability and economic growth. The proposed North Coast Transmission Line will more than double capacity between Prince George and Terrace, helping unlock industrial development and trade opportunities in northwestern B.C. Regional economic development initiatives will further strengthen the grid in key growth areas, including North Thompson-Kamloops, Williams Lake, Terrace to Kitimat, the Port of Prince Rupert and the South Peace Montney region, while major upgrades across the Interior, Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island ensure electricity can be delivered to growing communities where it is needed most.
“As we look ahead, our focus is clear: conserve, optimize and build,” said Charlotte Mitha, president and CEO, BC Hydro. “By taking action across all three areas, we’re ensuring we can meet growing demand, keep electricity affordable and maintain a reliable system for our customers.”
Building B.C.’s energy future together
Meeting rising electricity demand requires collaboration with First Nations, communities, industry and customers. Public ownership remains central to the province’s approach, helping maintain affordability and ensuring long-term value stays with people in British Columbia, while partnerships with independent power producers continue to deliver new clean energy.
Building on the legacy of past investments, while preparing the system for the future, this plan ensures cleanliness, reliability, flexibility and is ready to support growth for decades to come.
