The B.C. government is looking at the potential viability of two massive new hydroelectric projects — floating the possibility of revisiting the Site E dam on the Peace River in the Northeast and a project on the Homathko River near Bute Inlet on the Central coast.
Adrian Dix, B.C.’s energy minister, said these types of projects are needed to back up major recent investments in renewable energy projects that rely on the weather to generate power.
“It’s firm power that backs up intermittent resources, such as wind and solar,” Dix said, announcing the plans on Monday, June 15. “To get that capacity, we have to open all potential sources of generation, including new hydroelectric projects.”
Site E could provide up to 750 megawatts, while Homathko could provide roughly 900 megawatts. For comparison, the Site C Dam (now renamed for former Premier John Horgan) generates about 1,200 megawatts.
These explorations are in the very early stages, and even the technical review will require legislation to go ahead, Dix said.
This is because the Clean Energy Act bars the building of both Site E and Homathko. Dix says the proposed legislative changes would not fully remove those prohibitions at this stage.
Dix said more power is needed to take advantage of a “generational opportunity” to meet demand in an array of industries, including mining.
More to come.