With drought limiting hydro output, B.C. turns to Alberta and the U.S. for power. Officials assure stable rates and long-term energy security.
Drought Forces B.C. to Import Power Again This Summer
British Columbia is once again turning to its provincial and international neighbours for electricity, as prolonged drought conditions continue to strain the province’s hydroelectric resources. Despite its reputation for clean and self-generated energy, B.C.’s water-dependent power grid is facing ongoing limitations.
Diminished Snowpack, Limited Rainfall Affect Hydro Output
Chris O’Riley, President and CEO of BC Hydro, confirmed that the province is experiencing a multi-year drought that’s significantly impacted hydroelectric production. “This year, we’ll need under 2,000 gigawatt-hours,” he said—well below past highs of 13,000, but still notable.
The final need, he added, depends on how much rainfall arrives in the coming weeks as B.C.’s already sparse snowpack continues to melt.
Cross-Border Power Imports Fill the Gap
To meet demand, BC Hydro is importing power from Alberta and the United States. This isn’t a new approach—B.C. has long participated in energy trade—but O’Riley said there’s growing interest in expanding interprovincial electricity exchange.
“We would like to see greater trade,” he said. “We want more east-west energy flow within Canada.”
No Rate Hikes for Consumers, Officials Say
Despite relying on imports, BC Hydro maintains that there will be no extra financial burden on consumers. Rates are locked in with a 3.75% increase over the next two years—an adjustment already factored into the utility’s long-term planning.
O’Riley emphasized that the public should remain confident in the province’s ability to meet energy needs now and in the years ahead.
Imports and Exports: A Two-Way Street
B.C. Minister of Energy and Climate Change, Adrian Dix, highlighted the province’s long-standing dual role in the electricity market. “Over the past 16 years, B.C. has spent half that time as a net importer and the other half as a net exporter,” he said.
Even with recent droughts, Dix noted that electricity exports have brought in an average of $550 million annually over the past five years, offsetting import costs and benefiting ratepayers.
New Projects Aim for Energy Independence
While imports help fill the gap today, B.C. is looking to the future with new infrastructure. The Site C Dam in northeastern B.C.—a massive hydroelectric project years in the making—is expected to become fully operational this summer.
Once online, Site C will significantly reduce the province’s reliance on external power sources, reinforcing B.C.’s long-term strategy of sustainable, self-sufficient energy production.
Stay with Maple News Wire for more updates on Canada’s evolving energy landscape.
