16.9°C Vancouver

Jun 4, 2025 7:55 PM - The Canadian Press

BC Hydro seeks baseload power boost from stable sources

Share On
bc-hydro-seeks-baseload-power-boost-from-stable-sources
Dix says both requests are aimed at matching B.C.'s growth potential with stable and affordable electricity supply.(Photo: The Canadian Press)

British Columbia's power utility wants to boost the province's baseload electricity generation capacity in a bid to meet the province's growing demand from residents and industries.

Baseload capacity refers to constant and stable power sources, with Energy Minister Adrian Dix announcing BC Hydro's request for expression of interest from companies to provide geothermal or hydroelectric projects to expand long-term power capacity and meet peak demand.

BC Hydro has also launched a second request, seeking partners who can deliver "market-ready technologies" for boosting power conservation in homes and buildings across the province.

Dix says both requests are aimed at matching B.C.'s growth potential with stable and affordable electricity supply.

BC Hydro has been dealing with a long-term drought that forced the province to import electricity last fiscal year.

The Crown utility says 13,600 gigawatt hours of power was imported in 2024 about 22 per cent of all B.C's power (Photo: The Canadian Press)but that the province has been a net electricity exporter for eight of the last 15 years.

The utility last year issued a call for power from renewable sources, later selecting nine wind and one solar project but these are distinct from baseload projects because they rely on what BC Hydro calls "uncontrollable conditions."

Latest news

six-still-in-hospital-two-months-after-attack-on-vancouvers-lapu-lapu-festival
BCJun 26, 2025

Six still in hospital, two months after attack on Vancouver's Lapu Lapu festival

Police say six victims remain in hospital two months after the attack on Vancouver's Lapu Lapu Day street festival that killed 11 people. Vancouver police say in an email response that one child victim who had been in hospital until recently has now been released and is recovering at home. Police say they cannot provide specific details about the victims' injuries or medical status. Police had said on June 5 that seven people were hospitalized, with one in serious condition. Suspect Adam Kai-Ji Lo is facing multiple counts of second-degree murder over the April 26 attack at the festival held b
federal-bank-loaning-1b-for-bc-ferries-to-buy-chinese-made-ships
BCJun 26, 2025

Federal bank loaning $1B for BC Ferries to buy Chinese-made ships

A federal Crown corporation is loaning BC Ferries $1 billion to help buy four Chinese-made ferries, a purchase that federal transport minister Chrystia Freeland recently said was dismaying and should involve no federal funds. Canada Infrastructure Bank confirmed the loan on Thursday, saying the new electric ferries "wouldn't likely be purchased" without the financing. It says the low-cost loan consists of up to $690 million to buy the vessels and up to $310 million for electrification infrastructure. Freeland wrote to the province on June 16, asking B.C. to confirm "with utmost certainty" that
police-seek-witnesses-after-firecracker-assault-in-moody-park
BCJun 26, 2025

Police seek witnesses after firecracker assault in Moody Park

The New Westminster Police Department is investigating an assault that occurred in Moody Park after a firecracker was thrown at someone who was playing basketball. On the evening of June 23, at approximately 9:30pm, the victim was on the basketball courts in Moody Park when an unknown person approached on an electric scooter. The suspect threw a lit firecracker at the victim. The victim sustained injuries to his hand that required hospitalization. “This kind of reckless behaviour causes life-altering injuries,” stated Sergeant Andrew Leaver. “We’re asking anyone who was in the area or
calgary-police-say-charges-laid-after-11-year-old-boy-hit-by-transit-train
AlbertaJun 26, 2025

Calgary police say charges laid after 11-year-old boy hit by transit train

Calgary police say charges have been laid after an 11-year-old boy was hit earlier this year by a light-rail train car. Officers say the boy was walking in a marked crosswalk at Banff Trail Station in mid-April when the CTrain entered the station. The pedestrian barriers weren't down, and the train struck the boy, who was treated in hospital for life-threatening injuries. They also said the driver of the train was arrested. Police say the 60-year-old train operator has since been charged with dangerous operation causing bodily harm. They say he is scheduled to appear in court in
youth-killed-in-shooting-incident-in-batala
IndiaJun 26, 2025

Youth killed in shooting incident in Batala

A case of firing has come to light in Kadia, Batala, Punjab. According to reports, three unidentified assailants on a motorcycle fired at a Scorpio vehicle late on Thursday night, in which a woman was seriously injured, who is said to be the mother of gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria. A youth died in this incident. The deceased youth has been identified as Karanvir Singh, son of Prem Singh, resident of Bhikhowali. According to reports, Jaggu Bhagwanpuria's mother was referred from Batala to Amritsar due to serious injuries and the police who reached the spot are investigating.

Related News