EC1(3) Trade Volume and Average Sales Price
F2002 | F2003 | F2004 | F2005 | F2006 | |
| Electricity Trade Volume (GWh) | 20,666 | 31,182 | 28,373 | 29,706 | 29,906 |
| Average Sale Price (Dollars/MWh) | 187 | 57 | 61 | 63 | 79 |
BC Hydro's electricity system is interconnected with systems in Alberta and the western United States. Interconnection facilitates sales and purchases of electricity outside British Columbia. Trade activities help BC Hydro balance its system by being able to import energy to meet domestic demand when there is a supply shortage in the system due to such factors as low water inflows and increasing domestic demand. Exports are made only after ensuring that domestic demand can be met.
Trade revenues for the year ended March 31, 2006 were $1,546 million, an increase of $525 million from prior year trade revenues of $1,021 million. A large portion of the increase was due to a 25 per cent increase in average sales prices to $79/MWh from $63/MWh in the prior year. The increase in market prices was caused by increases in oil and natural gas prices due to supply interruptions in the U.S. Gulf Coast as a result of several hurricanes. Sales volumes also increased by one per cent to 29,906 GWh in the year ended March 31, 2006 from 29,706 GWh in the prior year. Revenues have also increased as a result of gas sales to third parties.
