February 17, 2005
BCUC decision next step in development of Duke Point Power project
PROVINCE WIDE – Today's decision by the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC) to approve the contract between BC Hydro and the Duke Point Power Limited Partnership (DPPLP) is the next step towards the development of the proposed Duke Point Power project.
- Today's decision by the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC) [PDF, on BCUC website]
"BC Hydro will work with DPPLP to fulfill the terms of the electricity purchase agreement we have with them," said Bev Van Ruyven, Senior Vice President, Distribution for BC Hydro. "We recognize that there are still risks and hurdles to this project – including the strong potential of legal appeals of the BCUC decision – and are working to understand the potential impacts those may have."
DPPLP was the successful bidder in BC Hydro's recent Vancouver Island Call for Tender (VICFT) process. BC Hydro has contracted with DPPLP to build a 262 megawatt (MW) project at Duke Point in Nanaimo, B.C. that would be in service by 2007. Today's decision comes after a hearing before the BC Utilities Commission. A large number of intervenors and interested parties took part, many of whom dedicated a significant amount of time and resources to this initiative.
"Anyone who has followed this issue of new supply for Vancouver Island over the last ten years knows it has been a struggle," added Van Ruyven. "BC Hydro has heard an extraordinary amount of input from a wide range of people, and we want to thank everyone for their significant efforts. Looking forward, we will be applying what we have learned to the Integrated Electricity Plan (IEP) stakeholder engagement process going on across the province to find solutions to our electricity needs over the next twenty years," concluded Van Ruyven. "Our number one priority – for Vancouver Island and the province as a whole – will remain the reliability of electricity supply for our customers. But we also want to involve stakeholders and interested parties better than we ever have before in this process. Accomplishing both goals is the best way to find the most reliable electricity solutions for all of us."
Contact:
| Stephen Bruyneel |
| Director, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs |
| Phone: 604 623-4344 |
| stephen.bruyneel@bchydro.com |
