On September 23, 2013, British Columbia's Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) directed BC Hydro to release its draft Integrated Resource Plan (the IRP) to the public and carry out another round of public consultation with the public, stakeholders and First Nation from September 3 to October 18 with the goal of re-submiting the plan to government by November 15, 2013.
The requirement for BC Hydro to submit an IRP arose pursuant to the Clean Energy Act upon its coming into force on June 3, 2010. In early 2011, the provincial government extended the IRP's submission deadline of December 2, 2011. In May 2012, BC Hydro released a preliminary draft of the IRP for public consultation. However, to allow more time to assess and determine the electricity requirements of British Columbia's growing liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry, the provincial government delayed the submission of the IRP until August 3, 2013. BC Hydro recently submitted the revised draft IRP to the MEM on August 2, 2013.
The IRP in its current draft provides a 20 year plan for BC Hydro to meet forecasted electricity needs of British Columbia via energy conservation and clean energy generation. To achieve the IRP's goals, BC Hydro outlines a strategy in which it plans to maintain a commitment to clean energy, greenhouse gas reduction and electricity self-sufficiency while ensuring the British Columbia retains a reliable, cost-effective electricity supply.
The draft IRP includes a list of 17 recommended actions to meet the anticipated increase in the province's electricity demand over the next 20 years while maintaining affordable rates. For example, the IRP recommends that BC Hydro focus on resource management by optimizing the current portfolio of independent power project resources according to the key principle of reducing near-term costs while maintaining cost-effective options for long-term needs. Several recommended actions in the IRP focus on supporting the Province's burgeoning LNG industry, such as the exploration of clean energy supply options should LNG demand exceed available resources. Also recommended is the reinforcement of the existing 500 kV transmission line from Prince George to Terrace to better enable BC Hydro in its ability to supply the Province's LNG industry in the north. The IRP further recommends that BC Hydro continue its advancement of a plan to construct the Site C hydroelectric project, which is intended to add 5,100 GWh/year of annual energy and 1,100 MW of dependable capacity to the system in British Columbia with a potential in-service date of 2024.
Each recommended action in the IRP can be reviewed on BC Hydro's IRP website. BC Hydro plans to review all written comments it receives between September 3 and October 18 to shape the final IRP that will be submitted to the provincial government for approval by November 15, 2013. Comments can be emailed directly to integrated.resource.planning@bchydro.com. Alternatively, BC Hydro has created an online IRP comments form that can be completed online.
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