2006 Integrated Electricity Plan

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On March 29, 2006, BC Hydro filed the 2006 Integrated Electricity Plan (IEP), including the Long-Term Acquisition Plan (LTAP), with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC). On May 11, 2007, the BCUC released its decision on the 2006 IEP/LTAP application.

• 2006 IEP Application and BCUC Decision
• Challenges and Choices [PDF, 696 Kb]
• News Release, March 29, 2006

What is the 2006 IEP/LTAP?

The 2006 IEP is a contextual document that outlines how BC Hydro plans to meet anticipated customer electricity needs for the 20-year planning period from F2006 to F2025. The IEP provides the analysis and acquisition strategy that informs the LTAP, which is an action plan with a 10-year planning period from F2006 to F2015. The 2006 IEP filing includes the 2006 LTAP.

• The IEP realizes BC Hydro's purpose to provide reliable power at low cost for generations by ensuring that future generations can benefit from an abundant supply of clean and low-cost electricity.
• An IEP enables BC Hydro to ensure that a reliable and cost-effective supply of electricity is available to our customers, while considering key environmental and social issues.
• BC Hydro produced the 2006 IEP after considering what we heard from a wide range of parties, including a provincial advisory committee, regional stakeholders, First Nations and customers all across the province.

Background

What is an IEP/LTAP?

An IEP is the long-term planning document used by BC Hydro to determine the outlook for a 20-year horizon. The IEP analysis informs BC Hydro's 10-year action plan (LTAP).

Since new resources require significant lead times to build, electric utilities must plan ahead to be sure resources are in place when needed. Because integrated electricity systems are complex and capital-intensive, IEPs are typically based on load forecasts and resource options that cover 15 to 20 years.

Taking such a long-term view does not mean that BC Hydro is locked into the resource options outlined in the IEP. An IEP is designed to be sufficiently flexible to respond to changing market conditions and future uncertainties.

What is the IEP/LTAP planning cycle?

Every four years, BC Hydro plans to develop and file an IEP, which includes the development and filing of an LTAP. At the mid-point of this four year cycle, BC Hydro plans to provide an update to the LTAP.

What is happening now?

The 2006 IEP/LTAP application has been filed by BC Hydro and the BCUC Decision on the filing has been issued. Currently, BC Hydro's 2006 LTAP is in place and translates the 2006 IEP analysis and acquisition strategy into a series of actions that sets the course for the first ten years (F2006 to F2015) of the 20-year 2006 IEP horizon. BC Hydro is working to implement the actions and strategies identified in the 2006 LTAP.

The 2008 LTAP update work is currently underway and is anticipated to be completed in the spring of 2008.

Note: BC Hydro's previous IEP was issued on March 31, 2004. The 2006 IEP has been completed and BC Hydro plans to file subsequent IEPs based on the planning cycle described above.