About BC Hydro

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Generation, transmission and distribution

The new Clean Energy Act consolidated BC Hydro and BC Transmission Corporation, as of July 5, 2010, to provide a single entity that plans and delivers the clean energy required to meet British Columbia's growing demand for electricity while fostering job creation throughout the province and helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

About our facilities

BC Hydro operates 31 hydroelectric facilities and three thermal generating plants, totaling 12,000 megawatts (MW) of installed generating capacity. Our hydroelectric facilities provide over 95 per cent of the total electricity we generate and are located throughout the Peace, Columbia and Coastal regions of B.C. Our three thermal generating plants provide the remaining electricity generation..

We deliver electricity to our customers through a network of over 18,500 kilometres of transmission lines and 57,648 kilometres of distribution lines. This network also includes approximately 300 substations, 900,000 utility poles and 325,000 individual transformers.

The system connects with other transmission systems in Alberta and Washington State, which improves the overall reliability of our system and provides opportunities for trade.

A crown corporation

BC Hydro reports to the B.C. Ministry of Energy and Mines, whose energy policies are laid out in the 2007 BC Energy Plan. Several elements and targets included in that plan were updated in the Clean Energy Act of 2010.

Vision

BC Hydro's vision is "Powering B.C. with clean, reliable electricity for Generations". This vision provides the context for our business decisions.

Strategic objectives

• Safely keep the lights on
  Reliably meet the electricity needs of our customers through integrated planning, technology and safely operating, maintaining and advancing our system.
• Mind our footprint
  Create a sustainable energy future in B.C. by carefully managing our impacts on the environment and fostering an energy conservation and efficiency culture.
• Succeed through relationships
  Gain support for our work by building trusted relationships with customers, suppliers, First Nations and the communities we serve.
• Foster economic development
  Foster economic development opportunities across B.C. through our projects, practices and advancement of the clean energy sector.
• Maintain competitive rates
  Deliver value for British Columbia and maintain competitive rates by efficiently and responsibly managing our business.
• Engage a safe and empowered team
  Empower a team that is innovative, prepared for the future and committed to safety.

Core values

BC Hydro has six core values essential to the company's success:

• Safety – keep safety first in mind, heart and action
• Accountability – take ownership, be decisive and move forward
• Teamwork – One Hydro – make it happen together
• Integrity – do the right thing
• Service – proud of our service
• Ingenuity – create resourceful solutions

Who we are

Clean, abundant electricity is a key to British Columbia's economic prosperity and our quality of life.

Sustainability & BC Hydro

Our environmental bottom line looks at how we manage impacts from our operations, weigh environmental values with economic ones and plan for a future with more green energy in our system.

Acountability & reports

Financial reports, the global reporting initiative and information on BC Hydro's opennes and accountability.

Regulatory information

BC Hydro is regulated by the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC).

Partners & vendors

Our partners include independent power producers (IPPs), which assist in supplying energy, and contractors and companies that help us construct, upgrade and maintain our facilities around the province.