Planning for the future electricity needs of Bella Coola
A long-term electricity plan for the non-integrated area
In partnership with Nuxalk Nation, we’re drafting a report outlining plans to power the Bella Coola remote microgrid with renewable, reliable and affordable energy for the next 20 years. The Bella Coola community context report will guide our efforts to meet the community’s needs, covering both the current situation and future plans.
Help shape the future of Bella Coola’s energy needs
No one knows the energy needs of the community better than the community itself. We’ll be seeking your feedback on the draft report once we share it in February 2026.
Take a look at the draft report and share your thoughts on our planned activities for the next 20 years. Take some time to go over the key highlights, what the current situation is and what’s being planned.
The current situation
While most of the province is powered by our interconnected electricity grid, which primarily supplies hydroelectricity, certain remote communities aren’t connected to the main grid and instead rely on standalone microgrids. Communities relying on standalone microgrids are called “non-integrated areas” (NIA).
All NIAs rely in some way on diesel generators to meet the electricity needs of the community. The Bella Coola microgrid is powered by both the Clayton Falls Hydroelectric Generating Station and diesel generators at Ah Sin-Heek. In recent years, Clayton Falls has provided ~40% of the community’s energy needs with diesel providing the rest.
Key engagement timeline
Stay involved and help shape the plan by participating during these important dates.
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| February 2026 | Draft report released |
| March 2026 | Community outreach event |
| April 2026 | Feedback submission deadline |
Be a part of Bella Coola’s energy future
Join us and the Nuxalk Nation for an important conversation. This is your opportunity to learn, share your thoughts, and provide feedback on the community’s future energy needs.
During this session, we will explore key highlights from the Bella Coola community context report.
What we’ll discuss
- Reducing diesel: Our work to reduce reliance on diesel-generated electricity and the Nuxalk Nation’s Nooklikonnik hydroelectric project.
- Renewable energy: Upgrades to the Bella Coola microgrid to allow for more renewable energy integration.
- Better reliability: Investments we’re making to improve your power today and tomorrow.
- Lowering costs: Programs to help homes and businesses save energy and money.
Event details
- When: March 12, 2026 | 4.p.m – 8.p.m
- Where: Nuxalk Community Hall (674 Cliff Mnmnta (Street).
- Food: Dinner, dessert, coffee, and snacks.
- Who: Everyone is welcome, and we’ll have colouring sheets for the kids.
Win door prizes
As a thanks for showing up and sharing your thoughts, we’re also giving away door prizes.
- Grand prizes: ENERGY STAR® certified fridge or an electric chainsaw.
- Other prizes: deluxe highway emergency backpack kit, contingency preparedness kit, energy savings kit, and more.
Register now
Highlights from the Bella Coola report
Together with the Nuxalk Nation, we’re working to reduce diesel use, support energy-saving initiatives, improve the reliability of electricity service, and meet the evolving energy needs of the Bella Coola Valley.
Nuxalk Nation is building a second hydroelectric facility called the Nooklikonnik hydroelectric project. This renewable energy facility will displace over 1.5 million litres of diesel annually, delivering between 6,000 and 9,300 MWh of clean electricity each year enough to power up to approximately 900 homes. The Nation will build, own and operate the facility, and sell energy to us through a Community Energy Purchase Agreement.
We’re investing in upgradingthe microgrid. A new control system will act as the “brains” of the microgrid responsible for sensing the load, making decisions to control complex scenarios of which energy resource to use when, and being able to react instantly to any changes to keep the grid stable. This innovative technology will ensure the microgrid remains stable no matter which facility is producing energy.
The diesel generating station is being upgraded over the next couple of years to add 1.8 megawatts (MW) of capacity, enough to provide the growing community with reliable electricity until 2043. We’re also investing in several reliability improvement measures like power pole replacements, new protection devices, bird mitigation and vegetation maintenance. As a result of previous investments, reliability for customers on the Bella Coola microgrid has been gradually improving.
The Nuxálk Nation is implementing several demand-side management initiatives to support energy efficiency and conservation measures. Bella Coola community members have access to our sponsored energy efficient upgrades.
We want to hear from you
This will be our first public draft of the report, and your feedback is important. We’ll incorporate public feedback into the final report.
Join us at an upcoming event in Bella Coola to learn how to lower your bill and hear more about the draft report.
Stay informed about the report and upcoming events by signing up for updates below.
BC Hydro is collecting your personal information for the purpose of establishing a contact list to keep you informed about our Bella Coola long-term electricity plan initiative (framework and plan) and engagement activities. Your personal information is collected under the authority of Section 26 (c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act for B.C. If you have any questions concerning how your personal information is handled, or to update your information or unsubscribe, please contact the Bella Coola long-term electricity plan team at NIA.Indigenousrelations@bchydro.com.