Purcell Mountain Range. Photo: Gary Diers.
BC is famous for its wild rivers and streams.
Energy security and financial concerns
In paying for privately produced hydroelectricity, acquired through contracts called Energy Purchase Agreements (EPAs), ratepayers (i.e. the public) pay for the capital costs of the projects, but when the 20-40 year contracts expire the public won’t own any assets. And far from providing energy security for BC, after the contracts run out the electricity will be sold to the highest bidder, with the public having no guarantee that the power produced won’t be exported to run air conditioners in California.
The high cost of privately produced hydropower is also of concern. BC Hydro contracts with private producers have commited ratepayers to prices almost double current market rates. In just five years BC Hydro has commited to Energy Purchase contracts totalling over $20 billion.8 Just recently the Vancouver Sun revealed the public will be on the hook for an additional $600 million to provide transmission links for private power projects. 9
Electricity produced from so-called run-of-river is sporadic
When high elevation water sources are frozen in the winter, or when low summer flows preclude water diversion from creeks, little or no electricity will be generated by run-of-river facilities. Despite this, in BC, we have our highest electricity demand in the winter when it is cold and dark. Run-of-river facilities generate most of their electricity in the spring during snowmelt when BC Hydro already has a sufficient supply through its system of dams.
Conservation not construction
Rather than rushing to build hundreds of private hydro projects, British Columbia could place a far greater emphasis on conservation and energy efficiency. BC Hydro published a report in November 2007 which indicates that through conservation alone, we could be using no more electricity in 2027 than we use today, while still maintaining economic prosperity and growth.10
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Transmission lines accompany the development of all private hydro projects. Photo: Gary Diers.
River-diversion tunnel at the Ashlu Private Power Project.
