December 12, 2007
New study says conservation can supply electricity for a million homes
VANCOUVER – BC Hydro has completed a Conservation Potential Review (CPR) study that identifies more than 10,000 GWh/year – enough to power one million homes – that could be achieved through conservation by the year 2020.
The findings of the Conservation Potential Review support the BC Energy Plan target released earlier this year, which sets an ambitious conservation target to acquire 50 per cent of BC Hydro's incremental resource needs through conservation by 2020.
"Energy efficiency and conservation must become a way of life and a way of doing business in our communities," said Richard Neufeld, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. "This review clearly shows that by incorporating new energy efficient technologies, and changing our behaviour to reduce our own personal energy consumption, we can meet much of our future need for electricity through conservation."
"Our goal is to develop and foster a conservation culture in B.C. that leads to customers choosing to make a dramatic and permanent reduction in electricity usage," said Bob Elton, BC Hydro's President and CEO. "We strongly believe that we can lead a change such that by 2027 we would return to 2007 electricity consumption levels while allowing for growth and economic prosperity. In the short term, consumption will go up, but with concerted action we can bring it back down to the levels of 2007."
The 2007 Conservation Potential Review was carried out with information and advice provided by a panel of representatives from community groups and sectors from across B.C. Members of the External Review Panel provided advice and input into the study and ensured a broad-range of local perspectives were included in the outcome.
This study investigated some of the ways for B.C.'s industries, businesses and households to save energy as provincial electricity demand continues to grow. It noted the following examples where efficiencies could be gained.
At home:
- Replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent lights (CFLs)
- Turning down the thermostat and wearing sweaters in the home
- Turning down the thermostat when not at home
- Turning off computers and monitors when not in use
- Using a fan instead of an air conditioner
At work:
- Replacing 65 watt incandescent flood lights with 20 watt reflector CFLs
- Using Energy Star personal computers
- Unplugging chargers when not in use
- Turning off computers and monitors when not in use
BC Hydro's Power Smart program has already achieved significant savings since its inception in 1989. The current level of savings is approximately 4,300 GWh/year or enough to power 430,000 homes.
The CPR study is the most comprehensive of its type carried out in North America and examined the benefits and feasibility of energy efficient technologies, alternative energies and fuel switching, as well as behaviour and lifestyle choices customers can make to demonstrate a personal commitment to conservation.
Contact:
| Gillian Robinson Riddell |
| Media Relations |
| Phone: 604 623-4022 |
| gillian.robinson@bchydro.com |
