Questions and answers for 2025 RFEOI for Capacity
Answers to questions received during the Question Period for the 2025 Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEOI) for Capacity are posted on this page. See the June 10 Information Session Q&As [PDF, 270 KB] for additional information not on this page.
BC Hydro's answers to proponent's questions are for general information only. They do not constitute legal or other advice and did not amend or form part of the RFEOI, unless confirmed by Addendum or revised RFEOI documents. Should there be any differences between the information on this page and the RFEOI issued by BC Hydro, the RFEOI shall prevail.
August 22, 2025
16. For very large projects (e.g., 1GW), would it be possible to connect to a BC Hydro 500 kV line?
The feasibility of interconnection can be confirmed only through interconnection studies. For very large capacity or baseload projects, connecting to the 500 kV level may be possible but will need to be determined on case-by-case basis. Generally, connecting a very large project at an existing BC Hydro 500 kV substation is preferred to connecting to an existing 500 kV line. An interconnection customer can confirm the feasibility of interconnection by submitting an interconnection request through the Standard Generator Interconnection Procedures (SGIP) [PDF, 417 KB] process. Refer to Question 14 for BC Hydro's direction on when to initiate an interconnection request for capacity and/or baseload projects.
15. Would it be possible to establish a lease agreement between BC Hydro and the Respondent?
BC Hydro may be able to establish novel agreements with a Respondent, depending on the specific needs of a project. Please provide details of any agreements and/or support needed from BC Hydro in Part 4, Question 1) of the RFEOI Questionnaire.
14. Are generator interconnection requests for projects being submitted into the RFEOI allowed to submit an interconnection request per the SGIP?
Proposed capacity and baseload solutions submitted under the RFEOI for Capacity Resources do not require a Transmission Generator Interconnection Request. All requests for generation interconnection to BC Hydro's transmission system over 35kV are governed by BC Hydro's Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT). New requests for interconnection should begin by consulting BC Hydro's Transmission Generators team, prior to initiating the Standard Generator Interconnection Procedures (SGIP) [PDF, 417 KB] process.
During and following the RFEOI for Capacity Resources, BC Hydro may, in its sole discretion, request further information or clarification regarding responses submitted, including information regarding generator interconnections. For the purposes of the RFEOI for Capacity Resources only, BC Hydro advises Respondents to wait to begin consultation with BC Hydro's Transmission Generators team, and to wait to initiate the SGIP, until at such time BC Hydro initiates contact with the Respondent regarding the capacity or baseload solution.
13. Is there a competitive electricity acquisition processes (CEAP) for capacity and baseload projects submitted for the RFEOI?
No. There will not be a competitive electricity acquisition process associated with the RFEOI for Capacity Resources. The information required at submission includes the preferred line number and voltage and/or the substation name for point-of-interconnection, if known. This information should be provided in Part 2 of the RFEOI Questionnaire.
Proposed capacity and baseload solutions submitted under the RFEOI do not require a Transmission Generator Interconnection Request. Refer to Question 14 for BC Hydro's direction on when to initiate an interconnection request for capacity and baseload projects.
12. Are battery storage projects that help with grid load management applicable under this program?
Possibly. Grid load management solutions that provide generation on the grid and contribute to meeting the capacity and baseload needs of the system are welcome. The technical attributes of the proposed solution should be clearly described in Part 3, Question 4) of the RFEOI Questionnaire.
11. Can BC Hydro provide detailed information on industrial time-of-use energy prices and critical-peak energy pricing?
Specific information requirements required from BC Hydro for projects submitted to the RFEOI for Capacity Resources should be identified in Part 4, Question 1) and Question 2) in the RFEOI Questionnaire.
10. To support proponents in identifying optimal project locations that align with BC Hydro's system needs and maximize system benefits, would BC Hydro be willing to provide detailed capacity maps or system constraint maps?
The RFEOI for Capacity Resources does not emphasize specific regions. See the response to Question 28 in the RFEOI Information Session Q&As [PDF, 270 KB]. Additional information on BC Hydro's Transmission System [PDF, 343 KB] was published in May 2025 to support the 2025 Call for Power. The document is meant to provide indicative information on potential system energy capacity availability. The feasibility of point-of-interconnection and system capacity availability can be confirmed only through interconnection studies.
9. With respect to disclosures under RFEOI s.5.1 (a) (iv) and (v), will BC Hydro provide Respondents a minimum of five (5) Business Days notice under whatever applicable law or judicial, regulatory or government order such disclosure is required?
No. BC Hydro will not provide notice to Respondents following mandated disclosures.
8. Will BC Hydro limit disclosures to only such Confidential Information as may be reasonably required to satisfy the need for disclosure contemplated under RFEOI s. 5.1(a) (i) through (v)?
Yes. BC Hydro will only disclose Confidential Information on a need-to-know basis or as may be required to satisfy applicable law including any judicial, regulatory or governmental order issued under applicable law.
7. Are modifications to the Letter of Interest permitted?
Yes. As indicated in Appendix B of the RFEOI Document, the template Letter of Interest may be amended as necessary by respondents but should address the content provided in the template and be signed by a senior officer of the company duly authorized to make the RFEOI Response.
6. Does participation in the RFEOI for Capacity process impact any future or past agreements or programs that an organization may have with BC Hydro?
The RFEOI for Capacity is intended to gather information on potential Capacity Resources and/or Baseload Energy Resources for the BC Hydro System, as well as on the expertise of Respondents and the potential solutions they can provide. It will help BC Hydro develop a deeper understanding of the current market landscape, including opportunities and potential barriers.
Any expressions of interest received will be non-binding, will not result in a commitment from BC Hydro, and are not subject to filing with the British Columbia Utilities Commission. However, based on the responses, BC Hydro may initiate other energy and capacity procurement processes, which will have their own eligibility requirements. As such, this RFEOI process operates independently of existing programs or agreements with BC Hydro customers and partners.
Projects currently under contract with BC Hydro are not eligible to participate in this RFEOI, and they will be addressed through other processes, such as the Electricity Purchase Agreement Renewal Program. However, expansions to existing facilities under contract to BC Hydro may participate, as long as the expansion is distinct from the existing contracted facility and can be metered separately.
Respondents are encouraged to provide any additional relevant information, including considerations for existing or future agreements or programs in Part 3: Project Details, Question 5 in the RFEOI Questionnaire (Appendix A).
August 5, 2025
5. Can we request a meeting with BC Hydro to discuss our specific project during the RFEOI Response Period?
No. The RFEOI for Capacity Resources provides an opportunity for organizations to submit information on potential Capacity and/or Baseload Energy Resources in a formal way to BC Hydro. BC Hydro is not holding meetings with respondents to discuss specific projects during the Response Period. As noted in Section 4.5 of the RFEOI, BC Hydro may, in its sole discretion, request further information or clarification in relation to an RFEOI Response, and may invite Respondent(s) to participate in confidential commercial meetings to better understand and discuss in detail, aspects of the potential project and how it can meet BC Hydro's future needs.
4. Are attachments besides the RFEOI Questionnaire (Appendix A) and Letter of Interest (Appendix B) acceptable as part of the submission?
Yes, attachments will be accepted. However, only information included in the RFEOI Questionnaire (Appendix A) will be reviewed. Please organize attachments with ordered filenames and specific references in the RFEOI Questionnaire.
3. Are natural gas power generation facilities excluded from the RFEOI for Capacity?
No. The only exclusions to the RFEOI process are nuclear resources and projects currently under contract with BC Hydro. Note, projects must also be located within British Columbia.
July 10, 2025
2. Are additional RFEOI for Capacity Information Sessions planned?
No. The June 10 meeting will be the only Information Session for the RFEOI for Capacity. The slides and a summary of the Q&A from the Information Session are posted in RFEOI for Capacity documents.
Any further questions not covered in the posted materials can be submitted to the RFEOI Administrator during the Question Period. Refer to Section 4.3 of the RFEOI for details.
1. Would a project that is located outside British Columbia that is able to interconnect to the BC Hydro grid be eligible under the RFEOI for Capacity?
No. Projects that are located outside British Columbia are not of interest to BC Hydro under this RFEOI. See Section 2 of the RFEOI, which states that "BC Hydro is interested in Capacity and/or Baseload Energy Resources in British Columbia and that can connect to our integrated system."