Under the terms of the document the Canadian province will require zero net greenhouse gas emissions from all new electricity projects by 2016, when it will also be self-sufficient in generation.
The plans includes proposals for zero greenhouse gas emissions from coal-fired generation while renewable generation will account for at least 90% of the total
The government will also support the development of clean energy technology with a C$25M (US$21.25M) fund.
Furthermore, state-owned BC Hydro will be directed to acquire half of its incremental resource needs through conservation by 2020.
The company will also issue a request for proposals for electricity generated by sawmill waste, logging debris and beetle-killed wood and is establishing a standing offer with a set purchase price for power projects up to 10MW.
Announcing the BC Energy Plan: ‘A Vision for Clean Energy Leadership’ provincial energy minister Richard Neufeld indicated that hydro could have a significant role to play in the plan. ‘We will begin second-stage discussion with first nations, Alberta and stakeholders on the advancement of Site C, a third dam on the Peace River,’ said Neufeld. The Site C dam, first proposed in the 1970s, has previously been estimated to cost some C$3.5 billion (US$2.98 billion) to develop.
For more information see http://energyplan.gov.bc.ca
