Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands – Draft RFP Q&As

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The following are frequently asked questions and BC Hydro's answers to the questions about the Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands Draft RFP.

BC Hydro's answers to the questions are only for general information and do not constitute legal or other advice.

November 18, 2009

8. On February 18, 2009, the B.C. Court of Appeal issued two decisions which have significant implications for BC Hydro's role in First Nations consultation with respect to the proposed sale of power to BC Hydro. The decisions are the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council v. British Columbia Utilities Commission, (2009 BCCA 67) and the Kwikwetlem First Nation v. British Columbia Utilities Commission (2009 BCCA 68). How will these decisions impact the Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands Request For Proposals (HG/QCI RFP)?
BC Hydro received input from the Haida Nation, other First Nations and stakeholders and is continuing to design the HG/QCI RFP. BC Hydro has the ability to incorporate new requirements with respect to First Nations consultation into call documents and timelines.

Please see First Nations Consultation for information on BC Hydro's role with respect to new First Nations consultation.

December 19, 2008

7. What biomass sources (tonnes/year) are available on Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands, i.e., logging waste, forest product industry waste, construction/demolition debris, municipal solid waste/garbage, municipal sewage sludge?

BC Hydro does not maintain an inventory of this type of data and is not aware of any government ministry that maintains such data. For additional information regarding biomass sources, interested parties may wish to contact:

• the local Ministry of Forests and Range office in Queen Charlotte City to discuss potential sources of information related to forest residues; and/or
• the local municipal/regional district offices regarding potential sources of information related to accessing municipal waste.

6. Why is BC Hydro proceeding with this on-island RFP when the Clean Power Call may provide a solution for Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands?

While it is possible that a solution for Haida Gwaii may be proposed in the Clean Power Call, there is no certainty that BC Hydro will award an EPA to such a project. With Clean Power Call awards expected to occur in June 2009, BC Hydro is proceeding with the design and engagement stages of the HG/QCI RFP and is open to input regarding RFP timing. Possible options could include delaying the launch of the HG/QCI RFP until after the Clean Power Call is completed, or proceeding with the HG/QCI RFP but eliminating the requirement for registration or other fees during the early stages while the outcome of the Clean Power Call is unknown.

5. What is the Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands RFP timeline?

A timeline will be developed after the written input on the draft RFP documents has been considered. The deadline for submitting written input on the draft HG/QCI RFP is January 8, 2009.

4. What are BC Hydro's needs for new capacity on Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands, specifically the power needs for the northern grid in Masset and the southern grid in Sandspit?

The specific power needs for the north and south grids are contained in the Draft Technical Information (Schedule 7) of the Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands – Draft RFP posted on our website at www.bchydro.com/hgqci.

3. How much electricity is BC Hydro looking for?

BC Hydro anticipates the RFP to be for 30 to 60 gigawatt hours per year of new long term supply.

2. What types of projects will be eligible?

BC Hydro is proposing the HG/QCI RFP be open to all clean electricity supply solutions, including newer innovative or developing clean technologies. Projects must be located on Haida Gwaii (including adjacent waters), have an installed capacity of at least 50 kilowatts and meet the Provincial guidelines for clean or renewable electricity. Further proposed criteria can be found on BC Hydro's website.

1. What is the Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands Request for Proposals (HG/QCI RFP)?

The HG/QCI RFP is a power acquisition process intended to obtain viable, cost-effective and reliable electricity supply solutions for Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands. Haida Gwaii's electricity needs are currently served by two separate generation and distribution systems. Power is provided to the northern grid by BC Hydro's diesel generating system in Masset; the southern grid receives power from EPCOR's hydroelectric plant contracted to BC Hydro. Back-up power is generated at BC Hydro's diesel generation station in Sandspit.

Displacement of diesel generation in remote communities and non-integrated areas, where it can be done economically, is an objective in the 2007 BC Energy Plan and also aligns with the environmental objectives of local residents.

BC Hydro is seeking input on the draft RFP documents and process from the Haida Nation, other First Nations and stakeholders on the draft RFP documents and process. The draft documents were released on November 6, 2008 and can be found at www.bchydro.com/hgqci.