Press Release

More than 80 submissions received from across B.C.

VANCOUVER – BC Hydro received more than 80 responses to its bioenergy request for expressions of interest, launched last month. The submissions indicate an early and strong interest in developing projects to utilize pine – beetle waste wood, sawmill residue and logging debris to generate electricity.

"This is a tremendous response and highlights the entrepreneurship of B.C. companies and demonstrates why British Columbia is leading Canada in the use of biomass for energy," said Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Richard Neufeld. "This expression of interest and the upcoming call for power is a key action of B.C.'s new Energy Plan to help offset the effects of the mountain pine beetle infestation."

The majority of responses are from the Central Interior, with submissions also received from proponents in most other regions in the province. Submissions were received from a mix of large companies, smaller sized entrepreneurs, municipal governments and First Nations proposing projects for new generation and existing incremental generation projects.

"The number and diversity of submissions indicate the strong interest in emerging bioenergy opportunities in this province," said Forests and Range Minister Rich Coleman. "We now have the information needed to help forest companies and power producers move forward in the next phase of the bioenergy call process."

BC Hydro with participation from the two Ministries, will have discussions with respondents over the next three to four weeks to further explore the details behind each submission followed by a broader First Nations and stakeholder engagement process. The information gathered in these processes will be integral in designing an effective and efficient power acquisition process.

"We are buoyed by the initial response to our request, as it demonstrates that the private sector is willing to step up with ideas and innovation to help meet B.C.'s electricity needs," said BC Hydro President and CEO Bob Elton. "Through working cooperatively we expect to design a competitive and transparent process to acquire this energy."

Contact:

BC Hydro Media Relations

Media Relations manager

Phone: 604 623-4022