BC Hydro claws back Clean Power Call target

BC Hydro has asked the BC Utilities Commission ("BCUC") for an amended order slashing the target for the Clean Power Call from 5,000 gigawatt hours (GWh) per year to 3,000 GWh per year. The request was included in an Evidentiary Update to the 2008 Long-term Acquisition Plan ("LTAP"), filed with BCUC by BC Hydro on December 22, 2008.

The request for a 40% cut comes just weeks after the November 25 deadline for Clean Power Call proposals. The request will no doubt come as a shock to the 43 registered proponents who submitted a total of 68 proposals for BC Hydro's consideration. Collectively, these proposals represent about 17,000 GWh per year of production. With a reduced target, competition amongst the proposals will now be even more intense.

BC Hydro's request comes as a result of adjustments to its load forecast and Demand Side Management Plan based on what it refers to as "recent economic events" as well as the expected results of the Bioenergy Call Phase I RFP (BC Hydro announced the successful proposals on December 8). While the new forecasts may reflect BC's needs, some question whether the reduced target overlooks the opportunity to export power to other markets.

Public hearings before the BCUC will commence February 19, 2009. The status of the application can be found on the BCUC website.

Tagged as: BC - renewable energy