The Changing Environment for Electrical Generation In BC

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 The electrification landscape in BC has changed dramatically recently and many people are not aware of how much it has changed.

Only a few years ago the official word from BC Hydro  was that we had plenty of electricity generation in BC - especially with Site C coming online.  But in the last two years BC Hydro has begun to discuss the need for more distributed generation as we electrify building heat and transportation.

This winter the need for additional generation became more urgent as drought across Western North American meant that hydro-electricity might not be as available as it has been in the past.  Policy makers are now starting to think about rolling back electrification incentives.  Fossil Fuel lobbyists are exploiting the current situation to call for an increase in GHG emissions (see: https://www.straight.com/city-culture/bc-needs-affordable-dependable-energy-choices )

This is going to make it harder to meet our climate change targets.  Of course, the solution is to accelerate the adoption of distributed renewable energy production using solar and wind.  Thankfully governments and utilities are starting to recognize this.  

There are now tax credits from the federal government that can offer significant savings for businesses.  BC Hydro has some good incentives, especially for commercial customers and more will be announced over the next few months.  On-site PPAs (Power Purchase Agreements) mean that businesses can install solar energy with no upfront cost and start saving money from day one.  Unfortunately, most businesses don't seem to be aware of these programs.

 

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