15°C Vancouver

Apr 4, 2024 4:48 PM - The Canadian Press

BC Hydro wants more clean power to help meet demand, clean energy targets

Share On
bc-hydro-wants-more-clean-power-to-help-meet-demand-clean-energy-targets
The Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation says the Crown power utility has issued its first call in 15 years and is looking to acquire about 3,000 gigawatt hours per year.(Photo:Twiter/Josie Osborne)

BC Hydro is looking for more clean power to add to its grids as electricity demands are expected to increase by 15 per cent in the next six years.

The Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation says the Crown power utility has issued its first call in 15 years and is looking to acquire about 3,000 gigawatt hours per year.

The ministry says in a statement that it would add about five per cent to its current supply, which would provide clean electricity to 270,000 homes or about a million electric vehicles per year.

The added need is due to population growth, housing construction, industrial development and more homes and businesses switching from fossil fuels to clean electricity, the government says.

The ministry says this will be the first in a "series of calls for power" from BC Hydro as it works to meet the province's climate targets, with future requests expected to come every two years.

Energy Minister Josie Osborne says in the statement that climate disasters have become commonplace in B.C. and the switch from fossil fuels to clean power has "never felt more urgent."

"That's why we are working in collaboration with BC Hydro, First Nations and the independent power industry to generate more of the electricity that B.C. needs to build a clean economy and power our future," she says.

The province says the development and construction of new clean-energy projects will generate an estimated $2.3 to $3.6 billion in private capital spending throughout the province and create up to 1,500 jobs each year.

BC Hydro's massive Site C dam project is expected to start generating power this year after construction started 2015.

Latest news

surreys-27-5-million-bear-creek-stadium-opens
CanadaJul 09, 2025

Surrey’s $27.5-million Bear Creek Stadium opens

The $27.5-million Bear Creek Stadium in Surrey has officially opened. It has a seating capacity of 2,200. Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke said in a press release that once it receives Class 2 facility certification, Bear Creek Stadium will be able to host high-profile events such as the World Athletics Continental Tour and Challenger Series. The mayor said the stadium will attract other groups to host games there. “We’ve already had some people make inquiries,” she said. Locke said it will be a huge benefit to the city. Surrey will also have a 10,000-seat stadium, with construction expect
alberta-has-highest-measles-cases-per-capita-in-north-america-as-summer-travel-gets-underway
AlbertaJul 09, 2025

Alberta has highest measles cases per capita in North America as summer travel gets underway

Alberta has the most measles cases in North America on a per-capita basis, worrying experts who say summer events could push case counts even higher. The province's former chief medical officer of health Dr.Mark Joffe says that's twice the rate of confirmed cases in Ontario. Ontario has been deemed Canada's epicentre of the outbreak in absolute case numbers, reporting 1,910 confirmed infections since its outbreak began in October, but with a population three times the size as Alberta. Alberta reported yesterday that 1,230 people have been infected with the highly contagious disea
CanadaJul 09, 2025

One of two student pilots killed in Manitoba crash was from India: consulate office

One of two student pilots killed in a mid-air crash south of Steinbach, Man., has been identified as a man from India. The consulate general of India in Toronto, in a social media post, identifies the man as Sreehari Sukesh. The consulate office says it's in contact with the man's family, the pilot training school and local police. The crash happened Tuesday morning about 400 metres from a runway used by Harv's Air pilot school. Adam Penner, president of the company, has said the two pilots were in small single-engine Cessna planes and appeared to try to land at the same time.
fraud-awareness-campaign-highlights-how-to-spot-common-scams
BCJul 09, 2025

Fraud awareness campaign highlights how to spot common scams

Richmond RCMP has launched a new fraud awareness campaign to educate the public about investment scams, a growing threat that costs residents millions of dollars annually. At the center of the campaign is a newly released video that educates the public on how scammers operate and provides practical tips on how recognize their tactics to avoid falling victim. The video pulls from real examples, using engaging visuals and commentary from an officer on how to spot red flags. The video lists three common investment scam tactics: Scam Trick #1: They claim you’ll make big money with little or no r
coquitlam-rcmp-announce-charge-approval-for-weapon-related-offences
BCJul 09, 2025

Coquitlam RCMP announce charge approval for weapon related offences

Following a Coquitlam RCMP investigation into a 2022 stabbing incident, now 23-year-old Shane Aston Gero of Port Coquitlam, and a youth, also of Port Coquitlam have been criminally charged. The youth cannot be named as per the Youth Criminal Justice Act in order to protect their privacy. On June 4, 2022, shortly after 1:00 a.m., Coquitlam RCMP Frontline officers responded to a report of a stabbing near Central Elementary School, located at 2260 Central Avenue, Port Coquitlam. On June 25, 2025, charges of Aggravated Assault, Assault with a Weapon, and Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purp

Related News