ORDER NUMBER
E-2-26
IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority
South Sutton Creek Project 2025 Electricity Purchase Agreement Renewal
BEFORE:
R. E. Murphy, Commissioner
E. A. Brown, Commissioner
B. A. Magnan, Commissioner
W. E. Royle, Commissioner
On February 5, 2026
ORDER
WHEREAS:
A. On December 19, 2025, 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 October 26, 2025, between BC Hydro and South Sutton Creek Hydro Inc. (South Sutton Creek Project 2025 EPA) for the supply of electricity from the South Sutton Hydroelectric Project for a term of 20 years (Filing);
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. 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, at market-based prices, clean or renewable Independent Power Producer (IPP) projects with EPAs that expire prior to April 2026;
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 (EPA Renewal Program);
E. By Order G-58-24 dated March 6, 2024, the BCUC accepted BC Hydro’s Updated 2021 IRP pursuant to section 44.1(6) of the UCA;
F. BC Hydro submits the South Sutton Creek Hydroelectric Project is an eligible project under the EPA Renewal Program, and the South Sutton Creek Project 2025 EPA is materially consistent with the terms of the EPA Renewal Program;
G. BC Hydro requests the unredacted version of the Filing, including the entirety of the South Sutton Creek Project 2025 EPA, be held confidential as it contains information that is commercially sensitive; and
H. The BCUC has reviewed the Filing and considers the following determinations are warranted.
NOW THEREFORE pursuant to section 71 of the UCA and the Rules, the BCUC orders as follows:
1. The South Sutton Creek Project 2025 EPA is accepted as filed.
2. The South Sutton Creek Project 2025 EPA and the unredacted version of the Filing will be held confidential unless the BCUC determines otherwise.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 5th day of February 2026.
BY ORDER
Electronically signed by Rose Elise Murphy
R. E. Murphy
Commissioner