Trystan Casey
British Columbia is well-known for its hydro dams, which have been a source of electricity for over a century. BC Hydro, the main electricity distributor in the province, operates 32 hydroelectric facilities and generates between 43,000 and 54,000 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually. In 2014, 95% of the province's electricity was produced by hydroelectric generating stations, and BC Hydro continues to be a major producer of hydroelectric power in the region. With its large hydroelectric system, BC Hydro can quickly respond to changes in demand, making it a reliable source of electricity for the province.
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What You'll Learn
BC Hydro's generation of electricity
BC Hydro, or the British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority, is a Canadian electric utility that serves over 4 million customers in British Columbia. It is the primary electricity distributor in the province, except in the City of New Westminster and some other regions.
BC Hydro operates 32 hydroelectric facilities and two natural gas-fueled thermal power plants. Over 90% of its electricity generation comes from hydroelectric generation, with most of its hydroelectric capacity located on the Columbia River in southeastern British Columbia and the Peace River in the northeast. The Columbia and Peace rivers are home to large hydroelectric dams, and the Peace River is currently undergoing construction of a new 1,100 MW hydroelectric facility, Site C.
BC Hydro's hydroelectric generation typically ranges from 43,000 to 54,000 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually, depending on water levels. This electricity is distributed through a vast network of transmission and distribution lines, with interconnections to neighbouring provinces and states in western North America.
Hydroelectricity is a clean and cost-effective source of energy, and BC Hydro's large hydroelectric system can quickly respond to changes in demand. The generation of hydroelectric power involves harnessing the power of moving or falling water to produce mechanical and electrical energy. While hydroelectric reservoirs can sometimes release greenhouse gas emissions, they can also absorb emissions, resulting in a lower environmental impact compared to fossil fuels.
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Hydro power as renewable energy
Hydro power is the world's most common type of renewable energy and plays a crucial role in meeting British Columbia's (BC) energy needs. BC Hydro, the main electricity distributor in the province, operates 32 hydroelectric facilities and two natural gas-fueled thermal power plants. As of 2014, 95% of the province's electricity was produced by hydroelectric generating stations, with BC Hydro's facilities generating between 43,000 and 54,000 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually.
The history of hydropower in BC dates back over a century, with the first dam at Buntzen Lake supplying electricity to Metro Vancouver. Since then, BC has continued to expand its hydropower infrastructure, with six large hydro-electric generating projects completed between 1960 and 1980. The W. A. C. Bennett Dam, built on the Peace River, is a notable example, generating an average of 13,810 gigawatt-hours of electricity per year between 2012 and 2016.
Hydroelectricity in BC is primarily generated in the Columbia and Peace River basins, with the province having approximately 15,953 MW of hydroelectric capacity. The flexibility of hydropower allows BC Hydro to quickly respond to changes in electricity demand, making it a reliable source of renewable energy. Additionally, BC's large hydroelectric system is part of the Western Interconnection, a network connecting BC with other utilities in western North America, enabling the trading of clean electricity and contributing to lower greenhouse gas emissions.
While hydropower is a significant component of BC's energy mix, it is not the sole source. Wood waste, biofuels, and natural gas also contribute to the province's energy supply. In 2018, hydropower met about 17% to 18% of BC's energy needs, while biofuels derived from biomass or wood waste accounted for around 16%. The province is also exploring alternative energy sources, such as wind and wave power, to diversify its energy portfolio further and ensure a sustainable future.
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BC Hydro's hydroelectric capacity
The British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority, operating as BC Hydro, is a Canadian electric utility in the province of British Columbia. It is the main electricity distributor, serving more than 4 million customers in most areas. BC Hydro operates 32 hydroelectric facilities and two natural gas-fuelled thermal power plants.
BC Hydro's nameplate capacity is 12,049 megawatts. Its facilities generate between 43,000 and 54,000 gigawatt hours of electricity annually, depending on prevailing water levels. Over 80% of its installed generating capacity is at hydroelectric installations in the Peace and Columbia river basins. The Mica, Revelstoke and Hugh Keenleyside dams on the Columbia River account for a quarter of BC Hydro's power.
Between 1960 and 1980, BC Hydro completed six large hydro-electric generating projects. The first large dam was built on the Peace River near Hudson's Hope. The W. A. C. Bennett Dam was built to create an energy reservoir for the Gordon M. Shrum Generating Station, which has a capacity of 2,730 Megawatts of electric power and generated 13,810 gigawatt-hours of electricity per year on average between 2012 and 2016.
In 2014, 95% of British Columbia's electricity was produced by hydroelectric generating stations, which consist mostly of large hydroelectric dams on the Columbia and Peace rivers. BC Hydro provides additional electricity by modifying, updating and retrofitting its existing generation facilities. It also has energy purchase contracts with Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to buy electricity generated from intermittent renewable sources, such as wind power and wood residue energy. In 2024, BC Hydro initiated agreements for nine wind farm projects, expected to collectively generate nearly 5,000 gigawatt hours annually, increasing the grid's capacity by 8% by 2031.
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Hydro-electric generating stations
In 2014, 95% of British Columbia's electricity was produced by hydroelectric generating stations. BC Hydro operates 32 of these hydroelectric facilities, which generate between 43,000 and 54,000 gigawatt hours of electricity annually.
Hydropower has been used for electricity generation for a long time, and until 2019, it was the leading source of total annual US renewable electricity generation. Water is used as fuel in hydropower, which is not reduced or eliminated in the process. This makes it a renewable source of energy.
Hydroelectric generating stations use dams or diversion structures to alter the natural flow of a river or other body of water. The kinetic energy of the flowing water is then used to turn turbines, which are connected to generators that produce electricity. The amount of electricity generated depends on the volume of water flow and the change in elevation. Pumped-storage hydroelectric systems are used to generate electricity during peak demand periods, but they generally use more electricity to pump water to upper reservoirs than they produce with the stored water.
BC Hydro's first large dam was built on the Peace River near Hudson's Hope. The W. A. C. Bennett Dam was built to create an energy reservoir for the Gordon M. Shrum Generating Station, which has a capacity of 2,730 Megawatts of electric power and generated 13,810 gigawatt-hours of electricity per year on average between 2012 and 2016. Site C, a new 1,100 MW hydroelectric facility, is currently under construction on the Peace River.
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BC Hydro's other energy sources
BC Hydro, the British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority, is the main electricity distributor in British Columbia, serving over 4 million customers. It is a provincial Crown corporation that reports to the BC Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Low Carbon Innovation.
BC Hydro operates 32 hydroelectric facilities and two natural gas-fueled thermal power plants. Hydroelectricity is the main source of electricity in British Columbia, accounting for over 90% of BC Hydro's generation. Most of the hydroelectric capacity is located on the Columbia River in southeastern British Columbia and the Peace River in the northeast.
While hydroelectricity dominates BC Hydro's energy portfolio, the company also explores alternative energy sources. These include wind and wave power, with an emphasis on sustainable solutions to meet growing electricity demands. In 2024, BC Hydro entered agreements for nine wind farm projects, expected to collectively generate nearly 5,000 gigawatt-hours annually and increase the grid's capacity by 8% by 2031. This shift towards wind energy demonstrates BC Hydro's commitment to diversifying its energy sources and embracing renewable options.
In addition to wind power, biomass, derived from waste and the forestry industry, accounts for about 5% of the province's electricity capacity. Furthermore, BC Hydro has embraced run-of-river hydro, wood residue energy, and energy from organic municipal waste. These diverse sources of energy contribute to the province's overall energy mix, ensuring a more resilient and sustainable energy future.
BC Hydro also operates in the natural gas sector, with production increasing from 3.7 Bcf/d in 2013 to 6.7 Bcf/d in 2023. Additionally, they have invested in solar energy and refined petroleum products, which are used in off-grid communities. While these sources may not be as prominent as hydroelectricity, they play a vital role in ensuring energy access and reliability for all British Columbians.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2014, 95% of British Columbia's electricity was produced by hydroelectric generating stations.
The British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority, operating as BC Hydro, is a Canadian electric utility in the province of British Columbia. It is the main electricity distributor, serving over 4 million customers.
Other sources of electricity in British Columbia include biomass, wind, natural gas, solar, and refined petroleum products.
BC Hydro's various facilities generate between 43,000 and 54,000 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually, depending on water levels.
Hydroelectric power is generally the most cost-effective, clean, and reliable option for electricity generation in British Columbia. It is also a flexible source of energy that can quickly respond to changes in demand.
