BC Hydro’s call for power recieves overwhelming reply

Key Takeaways:

• BC Hydro received nearly double the electricity it was seeking, highlighting robust industry confidence in B.C.’s clean-energy transition and the scale of new generation needed to support electrification and economic growth.
• The proposals total over 3,000 MW, are overwhelmingly wind-based, and include many projects exceeding 200 MW—reflecting a shift toward larger developments after the size cap was removed in 2025.
• All projects include at least 25% First Nations equity ownership, reinforcing Indigenous participation in clean-energy infrastructure and potentially delivering billions in long-term economic benefits.

The Whole Story:

BC Hydro received 14 proposals totalling more than 9,100 gigawatt hours per year in response to its 2025 call for power, nearly double the 5,000 gigawatt-hour target, the utility said Thursday.

The proposals represent capacity of more than 3,000 megawatts and enough electricity to power approximately 900,000 homes annually. The response underscores strong industry interest in British Columbia’s clean-energy transition, which requires significant new generation to support economic growth and electrification.The 2025 call follows BC Hydro’s 2024 call for power, which secured 10 electricity-purchase agreements for clean and renewable projects capable of powering 500,000 homes.

The 14 proposals comprise 13 wind projects and one solar project, with five from the southern Interior, two from the central Interior, four from the North Coast and three from the Peace region. Unlike the 2024 call, which capped projects at 200 megawatts, the 2025 call has no maximum size limit. Ten proposals exceed 200 megawatts, ranging from 63 to 496 megawatts.

All projects include a minimum 25 per cent equity ownership for First Nations partners, consistent with the 2024 call, which delivered majority First Nations ownership for nearly every project and as much as $3 billion in equity ownership for First Nations partners.

“The level of interest that we’ve received shows that B.C. is ready to lead the next wave of clean-energy development,” said Charlotte Mitha, president and CEO of BC Hydro. “These projects will play a key role in delivering the reliable, affordable and clean electricity our province needs to drive economic growth and strengthen communities.”

Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions, said the response reflects confidence in the province’s clean-energy strategy.

“Clean electricity is the backbone of B.C.’s economy,” he said in a statement. “By partnering with First Nations and industry, we’re not just delivering power – we’re driving sustainable growth, creating thousands of jobs and building the infrastructure that will keep our province competitive for decades to come.”

BC Hydro will evaluate proposals and award electricity-purchase agreements in the coming months. Projects could begin coming online as early as fall 2031, with all projects in service by October 2033.The 2025 call for power is expected to unlock as much as $6 billion in private investment and create as many as 1,500 jobs annually during development and construction. The Canada Infrastructure Bank continues to support First Nations as active participants by providing access to competitive financing.