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Powering B.C.’s future: Market signals strong interest in providing new capacity resources

VANCOUVER: BC Hydro has received a significant response to its capacity Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEOI), with 106 submissions representing 19 gigawatts of potential new electricity capacity – a clear signal that Canadian developers are ready to help power British Columbia’s growing economy.

Meeting B.C.’s growing electricity demand means more than keeping the lights on – it is about building the capacity to power the economy, accelerate electrification and deliver reliable energy to communities. Capacity – the ability to deliver electricity when demand peaks – is essential for enabling new housing, businesses, industry and clean transportation, while keeping costs affordable for families.

In addition, capacity projects provide dependable, firm power and serve as a critical backup for intermittent renewable sources like wind and solar, which depend on variable conditions such as sunshine and wind. Together, they ensure a resilient, affordable and sustainable energy future for British Columbia.

The submissions showcase a broad mix of technologies/resources, including geothermal, biomass and hydro storage, among others. Ninety-seven percent of the submissions received were from Canadian entities.

Although the RFEOI is an information gathering exercise and does not result in Electricity Purchase Agreements, it has already confirmed strong market interest in advancing capacity solutions across technologies and regions. At this stage, the RFEOI is serving as a vital tool to identify opportunities, guide strategic planning and foster ongoing dialogue with market participants.

The RFEOI is part of a larger strategy to prepare for rising demand. BC Hydro is advancing major capacity projects that will directly increase the province’s renewable supply and ensure the system can support economic and community growth.

At the Revelstoke Generating Station on the Columbia River, BC Hydro is preparing to add a sixth generating unit that will provide 500 megawatts of cost-effective capacity to meet peak demand, support integration of renewable energy sources, create over 450 jobs, and generate approximately $60 million in local spending. Construction is planned to begin in spring 2026, with completion expected by December 2032.

Upgrades to the G.M. Shrum Generating Station’s Units 1 to 5 on the Peace River will add another 100 megawatts of renewable hydroelectric capacity. Along with Revelstoke Unit 6, these expansions will maximize the value of BC Hydro’s existing assets, enhance system flexibility and support the province’s transition to a clean energy future.

Together, the strong market interest demonstrated through the RFEOI, combined with BC Hydro’s own projects, underscores the sheer level of possibility in British Columbia. These initiatives are part of

a new era of investment and planning to ensure B.C. remains a clean energy leader and stays ahead of electricity demand for generations to come.

Quick facts:

  • BC Hydro’s current maximum generating capacity is 13.4 gigawatts (13,400 megawatts).
  • The Site C hydroelectric project is now fully operational, generating enough electricity for 500,000 homes and increasing the province’s electricity supply by 8 per cent.
  • The 2024 and 2025 calls for power will together add a further 16 per cent to BC Hydro’s current energy supply, enough to power one million new homes.
  • BC Hydro is investing more than $700 million over the next three years in energy-efficiency tools, technology and programs, which is expected to result in 2,000 gigawatt-hours per year of electricity savings, or enough to power 200,000 homes.

Learn more:

Contact:
BC Hydro Media Relations
e. media@bchydro.com
p. 604 926 6468