ORDER NUMBER
E-21-24
IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority
Electricity Purchase Agreement Renewal for the Upper Mamquam Hydroelectric Project
BEFORE:
E. A. Brown, Commissioner
E. B. Lockhart, Commissioner
B. A. Magnan, Commissioner
W. E. Royle, Commissioner
on October 10, 2024
ORDER
WHEREAS:
A. On September 12, 2024, pursuant to section 71 of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA), British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) filed with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) an Electricity Purchase Agreement (EPA) effective July 19, 2024, between BC Hydro and Canadian Hydro Developers, Inc. (Upper Mamquam Project 2024 EPA) for the supply of electricity from the Upper Mamquam hydroelectric project for a term of 20 years (Filing);
B. By Order G-61-12 dated May 17, 2012, the BCUC approved the Rules for Energy Supply Contracts for Electricity (Rules). Appendix A of Order G‑61‑12 contains the Rules, which are intended to facilitate the BCUC’s review of energy supply contracts for electricity, pursuant to section 71 of the UCA;
C. On December 21, 2021, BC Hydro filed its 2021 Integrated Resource Plan (2021 IRP) with the BCUC which provided BC Hydro’s long term energy needs and supply alternatives to meet future demand and included a near-term action to renew clean or renewable Independent Power Producer (IPP) projects with EPAs that expire prior to April 2026 at market-based prices;
D. In accordance with the 2021 IRP, BC Hydro developed an EPA Renewal Program for IPPs who have EPAs for clean or renewable projects set to expire before April 1, 2026;
E. On June 15, 2023, BC Hydro filed its 2021 IRP Signposts Update with the BCUC, which included an Updated 2021 IRP setting out BC Hydro’s updated long-term energy needs and supply alternatives to meet future demand. The Updated 2021 IRP confirmed the near-term action to renew clean or renewable IPP projects with EPAs that expire prior to April 2026 at market-based prices;
F. On March 6, 2024, by Decision and Order G-58-24, the BCUC accepted BC Hydro’s Updated 2021 IRP pursuant to section 44.1(6) of the UCA;
G. BC Hydro submits the Upper Mamquam hydroelectric project is an eligible project under the EPA Renewal Program, and the Upper Mamquam Project 2024 EPA is consistent with the terms of the EPA Renewal Program;
H. BC Hydro requests the unredacted version of the Filing, including the entirety of the Upper Mamquam Project 2024 EPA, be held confidential as it contains information that is commercially sensitive, and the public disclosure of such information will harm BC Hydro’s negotiating position with respect to further electricity purchase agreements; and
I. The BCUC has reviewed the Filing and considers the acceptance of the Upper Mamquam Project 2024 EPA is warranted.
NOW THEREFORE pursuant to section 71 of the UCA and the Rules, the BCUC orders as follows:
1. The BCUC accepts the Upper Mamquam Project 2024 EPA as filed.
2. The BCUC will hold the Upper Mamquam Project 2024 EPA and the unredacted version of the Filing confidential until the BCUC determines otherwise.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 10th day of October 2024.
BY ORDER
Original signed by:
B. A. Magnan
Commissioner