Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Site C?
- Why are new energy sources needed?
- What other options are being considered?
- When would a decision be made on whether to build Site C?
- What are the potential benefits and impacts of Site C?
- How are the plans for Site C today any different previous plans for the project?
- How much would it cost to build Site C?
- What is the consultation process?
- How can I participate in the consultation program?
1. What is Site C?
Site C is a potential third dam and hydroelectric generating station on the Peace River in B.C.'s northeast region and it is one of several options being considered to help meet our long-term electricity needs.
If built, the project would provide a reliable, clean and renewable source of electricity for more than 100 years. It would supply in the range of 900 MW of reliable, dependable electricity, providing about 8% of B.C.'s existing electricity demands. The project would produce approximately 4,600 GWh a year, enough to power about 460,000 homes.
As the third dam on the Peace River, Site C would gain significant efficiencies by taking advantage of water already stored in the Williston Reservoir and would be able to produce 30% of electricity produced at the W.A.C. Bennett Dam with 5% of the reservoir size.
2. Why are new energy sources needed?
Clean, reliable and affordable electricity has been key to our province's economic prosperity and our quality of life. By planning ahead, we can ensure that future generations of British Columbians are able to enjoy the same benefits of low-cost, reliable power that we do today. There are three ways this will be done – by conserving more electricity, by buying more electricity from independent power producer and by investing more in our legacy assets and new resource options.
Conserving More
Conservation is the first and best choice to meet our future energy needs. BC Hydro is a global leader in conservation, providing Power Smart programs and incentives to help customers use less power. BC Hydro is introducing further conservation programs to meet an ambitious target the provincial government has set for British Columbians: to realize 50% of our new energy needs through conservation by 2020. These programs include: new energy efficient products and buildings, smart metering infrastructure, electricity audits, incentives and programs for schools and local governments.Buying More
BC Hydro is looking to innovative power projects, such as small hydro, wind power and biomass projects developed by independent power producers to help meet B.C.'s future electricity needs. Three new procurement processes to acquire power are currently planned or underway: a standing offer for clean electricity projects of less than 10 megawatts; a Clean Power Call for 5,000 GWh/year; and a call for bioenergy projects that generate electricity from under-utilized wood residues, including mountain pine beetle-affected timber.Building More
BC Hydro continues to make important investments to modernize, expand the capacity and extend the life of its hydro assets. These investments improve reliability and increase efficiency and electricity production with little or no environmental impact. However, even with conservation, purchases from independent power producers and reinvestment in existing assets, we will need to explore additional sources of power in B.C. that can provide a large, dependable supply of electricity throughout the year.As impressive as our hydroelectric assets are, they will not be enough to provide future generations of British Columbians with the energy security they will require if demand continues to grow as projected. For much of the last decade, we have been a net importer of electricity, depending on other jurisdictions to supply between 10 and 15% of our electricity needs. The BC Energy Plan aims to make our province energy self-sufficient by 2016. By planning now, BC Hydro is working so that British Columbians will continue to enjoy the benefits of a secure, reliable and affordable electricity supply.
However, even with all these measures, we still need additional sources of power in B.C. to help close the growing electricity gap. Intermittent, clean sources of energy, such as wind and small hydro will need to be employed, combined with large power projects that can provide a large, dependable supply of electricity 365 days a year will be required.
3. What other options are being considered?
BC Hydro's plans to meet future electricity needs are guided by the provincial government's BC Energy Plan: A Vision for Clean Energy Leadership. The plan sets targets to make our province energy self-sufficient while charting a path for conservation, energy self-sufficiency and clean energy.
BC Hydro is committed to investigating large-scale alternatives that can fulfill the Energy Plan's goal of providing clean energy to British Columbians. Large potential projects in B.C. that could be considered to provide a dependable supply of electricity in the future include large hydroelectric projects, large biomass facilities, clean coal facilities or natural gas plants.
4. When would a decision be made on whether to build Site C?
Large hydro projects like Site C have a long lead time to develop as compared to other energy alternatives and require early evaluation of feasibility and consultation. A decision on whether the project will move forward is still years away and much more work and analysis needs to take place before the province can make that decision.
BC Hydro is now in Stage 2, of a five stage process for Site C. At the end of each stage, the province will re-evaluate Site C, as compared to other options, and decide whether or not to proceed.
Stage 2 is expected to take two years and involves comprehensive consultation with communities, First Nations and stakeholders, as well as further updating and analysis of design, economic, social and environmental elements of the project.
5. What are the potential and impacts benefits of Site C?
All new resource options have benefits and impacts.
The potential benefits of Site C are that it provides a clean and renewable source of electricity for more than 100 years and minimal greenhouse gas emissions once operational. Site C would be able to provide electricity 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, complementing the development of intermittent energy sources such as wind and small hydro. As the third dam on one river system, Site C takes advantage of the water already stored at the existing facilities upstream.
Development of Site C would create a reservoir, flooding portions of the Peace River valley between the Peace Canyon and the confluence of the Peace and Moberly rivers, as well as portions of the Moberly and Halfway Rivers. Site C's effects on the environment include flooding and water flow impacts on fish, wildlife and agricultural land, local air impacts and construction impacts. Impacts on traditional lands of First Nations would be reviewed, as well as social impacts on the community including those directly affected by flooding of land, highway relocations and new transmission. Construction of Site C would also require a large number of workers for the construction phase, resulting in demand for housing and services, as well resulting noise, traffic, temporary construction facilities and access roads.
Should the provincial government decide to continue pursuing Site C, it will be subject to provincial and federal regulatory review including comprehensive environmental assessment and permitting processes.
During Stage 2 consultation, BC Hydro will look at ways to avoid, mitigate or compensate for these and other project impacts.
6. How are the plans for Site C today any different than previous plans for the project?
Because Site C was examined as a resource option more than 25 years ago and again from 1989 to 1991, significant engineering design work has been done. However, much of this information is now more than two decades old. Therefore, the project as originally conceived must be updated to reflect current information as well as to incorporate new ideas brought forward by communities, First Nations, regulatory agencies and stakeholders.
Today's approach to Site C will consider environmental concerns, impacts to land and opportunities for community benefits, and will update design, financial and technical work. Updates to the project may include operating changes, design changes or compensation projects to minimize potential impacts to fish and wildlife. In addition, it could include opportunities to provide social benefits such as enhancing recreational uses of the proposed reservoir.
Further, BC Hydro will be seeking feedback to identify opportunities to benefit First Nations, residents and communities directly affected by the Site C project, should it proceed.
7. How much would it cost to build Site C?
Site C would have a significant up-front capital cost, a long operating life and low operating costs if built. Early interim project estimates for Site C are between $5 billion and $6.6 billion. These interim project cost estimates reflect a levelized unit cost range from $46/MWh to $97/MWh in 2008 dollars.
As a decision on whether to build Site C is still a few years away, any project cost estimates right now are only interim. This estimate will be updated at each stage and will change as the project becomes more fully defined.
8. What is the consultation process?
Consultation will continue through all stages of project development, should it proceed beyond Stage 2.
Pre-Consultation on the Site C project was conducted December 2007 to February 2008. The input [PDF, 2.0 Mb] provided during Pre-Consultation was used to refine plans for Project Definition Consultation. Project Definition Consultation Round 1 ran from May 1 through June 30. Round 2 of Project Definition Consultation takes place October 1 to November 30, 2008.
9. How can I participate in the consultation program?
Come back to this website or sign-up for an email update. There will be opportunities to participate in the Round 2 Consultation online and in person.
Last Modified: Jun 30, 2008
