BC Hydro's four new bioenergy projects to provide clean energy, local jobs
VANCOUVER – BC Hydro is adding enough clean, renewable electricity to power 70,000 homes annually (more than 750 gigawatt hours) thanks to four new bioenergy projects located in Chetwynd, Fraser Lake, Fort St. James and Merritt. The four clean energy projects will produce electricity using sawmill and manufacturing debris, roadside debris, logging slash, sort yard debris and biomass derived from standing timber.
The projects have been selected under the second phase of the Bioenergy Call for Power, a program designed to facilitate the acquisition of clean, renewable and cost-effective energy. The first phase of the program resulted in the award of four electricity purchase agreements in 2009, totaling close to 600 gigawatt hours of electricity annually. BC Hydro requested proposals for the second phase in the spring of 2010. The four selected projects will require capital spending of more than $300 million and will create approximately 1,500 person years of employment.
Quotes
Hon. Rich Coleman, Minister of Energy and Mines:
"These bioenergy projects produce clean, reliable energy and economic opportunities for British Columbians in Merritt, Fraser Lake, Fort St. James and Chetwynd. These four B.C. companies can now efficiently use waste forest products to produce electricity to help meet B.C.'s growing energy needs."
Hon. Steve Thomson, Minister of Forests:
"Bioenergy is a cost-effective energy solution that makes sense for B.C. on many fronts – especially for our province's dynamic forestry industry. When compared to other forms of energy, bioenergy projects have higher levels of employment and generate more economic activity. Since these are new projects, they will require a diverse range of talented individuals and skills to build, maintain and operate the facilities."
Charles Reid, Executive Vice-President, Finance & CFO, BC Hydro
"Clean, abundant electricity has been and will continue to be key to B.C.'s prosperity and economic quality of life, so we are pleased to move forward with these projects that contribute to B.C.'s energy supply. We look forward to a long term relationship with the companies who have been successful in this clean energy call and commend them for putting forward creative and well prepared proposals for our consideration."
Facts:
- BC Hydro has selected four biomass projects, representing 754 gigawatt hours a year and 104 megawatts of capacity for the award of an electricity purchase agreement under the second phase of the Bioenergy Call for Power. The firm energy produced will be enough to meet the annual needs of about 70,000 homes.
Project Name |
Nearest Community |
Capacity (MW) |
Firm Energy (GWh/year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chetwynd Forest Industries Biomass | Chetwynd | 12 |
88 |
| Fraser Lake Sawmill Biomass | Fraser Lake | 12 |
88 |
| Merritt Green Energy | Merritt | 40 |
289 |
| Fort St. James Green Energy | Fort St. James | 40 |
289 |
- The projects will represent capital spending of more than $300 million, will create approximately 1,500 person years of employment and be in-service by November 1, 2016.
- BC Hydro launched the second phase of the Bioenergy Call for Power in the spring of 2010.
- Four electricity purchase agreements from the first phase were signed in 2009 totaling 579 gigawatt hours of energy per year.
- With these projects, BC Hydro will have a total of 16 bioenergy electricity purchase agreements, representing 3,300 gigawatt hours per year of contracted energy.
About BC Hydro:
Fifty years ago, British Columbians turned to BC Hydro to build the clean electricity system they count on to power B.C.'s economy, create jobs in every region, and keep the lights on. Now, BC Hydro is building again for the next 50 years. B.C. continues to grow and so has the need for more electricity. That's why BC Hydro is building, renewing, and encouraging conservation to meet today's needs and those of future generations. In 2011, BC Hydro is celebrating 50 years of providing power for British Columbians, and inviting them to help prepare for the next 50 years.
For more information, please contact:
BC Hydro Media Relations
Phone: 604 928 6468
www.bchydro.com/media