Orders

ORDER NUMBER

G-104-25

IN THE MATTER OF

the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473

and

British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority

Electricity Purchase Agreement Renewal for Marion Creek

BEFORE:

E. B. Lockhart, Commissioner

on April 23, 2025

ORDER

WHEREAS:

A.      On March 28, 2025, British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) filed an application (Application) with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC), pursuant to section 71 of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA), to accept for filing an Electricity Purchase Agreement (EPA) renewal for the Marion 3 Creek Hydroelectric project effective January 30, 2025, for a term of 20 years (Marion Creek 2025 EPA);

B.      By Order G-61-12 dated May 25, 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.      By Order G-58-24 dated March 6, 2024, the BCUC accepted the BC Hydro 2021 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) which describes BC Hydro’s long-term energy needs and supply alternatives to meet future demand and includes 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 that have EPAs for clean or renewable projects set to expire before April 1, 2026; and

E.       The BCUC has commenced review of the Application and considers that a public hearing is warranted.

NOW THEREFORE the BCUC orders as follows:

1.       A public hearing process is established for the review of the Application in accordance with the regulatory timetable as set out in Appendix A to this order.

2.       On or before April 30, 2025, BC Hydro must publish this order and the Application on its website and provide a copy of this order and the Application, electronically where possible, to the following:

a.       Registered interveners in the BC Hydro Fiscal 2023 to Fiscal 2025 Revenue Requirements Application proceeding; and

b.       All First Nations within the consultative boundaries of the Marion 3 Creek Hydroelectric project.

3.       BC Hydro is directed to provide written confirmation to the BCUC of compliance with Directive 2 of this order, including a list of all parties notified, by Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

4.       In accordance with BCUC’s Rules of Practice and Procedure, any party wishing to provide comments is invited to submit a Letter of Comment by the date established in the regulatory timetable. Letters of comment must be in the Letter of Comment Form available on the BCUC’s website at https://www.bcuc.com/Forms/LetterOfComment.

DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this      23^rd      day of April 2025.

BY ORDER

Electronically signed by Blair Lockhart

E. B. Lockhart

Commissioner

Attachment

British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority

Electricity Purchase Agreement Renewal for Marion Creek