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VANCOUVER – BC Hydro today announced that its next call for power will be a "clean" call to help ensure the province can meet its growing electricity needs with power from clean sources. The call process will be launched next month.

"By issuing a clean call for power, BC Hydro is playing a leadership role in developing clean energy alternatives to make our province energy self-sufficient while taking responsibility for our environment and our climate," said Richard Neufeld, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources.

The " Clean Power Call" will seek to acquire up to 5,000 gigawatt hours of energy per year – enough to power 500,000 households in B.C. – through a competitive process involving independent power producers across the province. This process will enable BC Hydro to evaluate the competitiveness of clean resources and the ability of these projects to meet the province's future electricity needs.

"British Columbia has earned a reputation as one of North America's leading producers of clean electricity and this Clean Power Call will help ensure that we continue to meet the needs of our province in a sustainable way," said BC Hydro President and CEO Bob Elton.

The BC Energy Plan set out a goal that 90 per cent of all electricity generated in the province must continue to come from clean or renewable sources and all new electricity generation projects will have zero net greenhouse gas emissions. Currently, BC Hydro is a net importer of electricity and demand for energy is expected to grow by up to 45 per cent over the next 20 years.

The Clean Power Call will target clean energy from larger projects using proven technologies – for example: hydro, wind, solar, and geothermal energy, among others. To achieve a clean distinction, a power facility would have to meet the province's guidelines for clean energy, which are currently being updated.

The Clean Call process begins with the issuance of draft terms and conditions next month. Independent power producers, First Nations and stakeholders are invited to provide input and comment on the draft terms prior to their finalization.

Earlier this year, BC Hydro released the draft terms and conditions for a Standing Offer Program for small clean electricity projects that generate up to 10 megawatts of power.

Contact:

Gillian Robinson Riddell

Media Relations

Phone: 604 623-4022

gillian.robinson@bchydro.com