Enabling Small and Micro Hydro Development

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BC Hydro is looking at ways to enable small and micro hydro development by the private sector.

Various studies have identified more than 600 potential small and micro hydro sites in British Columbia. This information has been used to publish the Inventory of Undeveloped Opportunities at Potential Micro Hydro Sites in British Columbia  [PDF, 509 Kb].

Hydro has also developed a Handbook for Developing Micro Hydro in British Columbia  [PDF, 315 Kb]. This publication describes issues that need to be considered when developing micro hydro projects, including criteria for interconnecting to Hydro's grid. Although still in draft form, the Handbook is ready for field testing and can be downloaded from this site. Many of the issues raised in the Handbook also apply to small hydro developments. We encourage small and micro hydro developers to use the Handbook and provide us with their feedback.

Hydro representatives have also been working with the Land and Water Licensing Branch of the BC Ministry of Water, Land, and Air Protection to explore opportunities to streamline regulatory approvals for small and micro hydro projects. The goals are to reduce project approval times, reduce or eliminate duplication and focus on the project's environmental impacts. We are also working to streamline Hydro's internal processes surrounding interconnection, distribution and metering.