Integrated Resource Plan
Integrated Resource Plan
We've updated our plan
As part of long-term electricity planning, we monitor the planning environment to determine whether adjustments are needed, which we call 'signposts monitoring'. Our updated 2021 Integrated Resource Plan [PDF, 3.0 MB] reflects what we learned through this monitoring (the Signposts Update), and was submitted on June 15, 2023, to the B.C. Utilities Commission as part of the 2021 Integrated Resource Plan public regulatory review process. To find out more about our June 2023 Signposts Update, you can also read our letter to the Commission.
What's new in our updated plan?
Our 2021 Integrated Resource Plan is advancing at a time of energy transition and global uncertainty. Here in B.C., more and more people and businesses are looking to transition from fossil fuels to reduce their impact on the environment. Delivering clean, renewable, and affordable power to British Columbians is our priority, and our Integrated Resource Plan prepares for a number of different scenarios. It's a flexible plan that allows us to monitor the changing conditions, pivot, and adjust our planning to meet the future needs of our customers as they grow over time.
With interest in electrification accelerating, we're seeing indications of increased electricity need for our customers in the future. This means there's an earlier need for additional resources. As a result, we're:
Conserving power is the best and most cost-effective way that we can help meet the future demand. That's why we're:
- Accelerating the timing of the ramp up of energy efficiency programs, and
- Accelerating the timing of the ramp up of demand-response programs and industrial load curtailment.
We're also extending our assumptions regarding energy purchase agreement renewals past fiscal 2026. This means renewing agreements with existing renewable power producers across the province at a cost-effective price.
To be ready, we're also accelerating the timing of utility-scale batteries.
We've started planning for a new call for power to acquire more clean or renewable electricity. Estimates indicate we need to acquire about 3,000 gigawatt hours per year of new clean or renewable generation starting as early as 2028 – or the equivalent of enough electricity to power 270,000 homes. This will position us to meet the potential electrification load from the CleanBC emission reduction targets.
We're beginning engagement with Indigenous groups and stakeholders to inform what the call for power looks like. Learn more about our call for power.
We know that we'll need to be flexible and adaptable to what comes next, especially in an era of rapid technological advancement and policy change. That's why we'll also have more regular and frequent planning cycles, so we're better able to match the potential pace of change in this time of energy transition.
What’s in our 2021 Integrated Resource Plan
Here are five key takeaways of the plan:
- Our plan builds upon our electrification goals and supporting the province’s shift from fossil fuels to clean hydroelectricity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help combat climate change.
- We’re introducing new options for our customers to have more control over your electricity use, including new energy efficiency programs, and incentives for using electricity at certain times of the day.
- We're optimizing our existing generation facilities and transmission lines to avoid the higher costs and environmental impact from building new infrastructure.
- Our plan is flexible and will allow us to adapt to changes in electricity demand and adopt new technologies as they become available.
- We gathered input and perspectives of Indigenous Nations to ensure we’re making responsible choices for the future.