BC Hydro’s new plan plays it too safe for an electrified future - Clean Energy Canada

The article critiques BC Hydro’s latest Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) for being overly cautious in its projections and planning for future electricity demand in British Columbia. While the IRP outlines three demand scenarios—low, reference, and high load—none fully account for emerging large industrial loads, such as critical mineral mining projects enabled by new transmission infrastructure. Under the most likely reference scenario, BC Hydro anticipates needing 13% more capacity by 2030 (equivalent to 1.7 Site C dams) and an additional 8.5% by 2035 (1.2 Site C dams). The utility has initiated measures like new power calls, community solar, and efficiency programs to address these needs, resulting in modest surpluses. However, the article argues that this approach underestimates future demand and risks leaving BC Hydro unprepared for the province’s electrification goals. A key concern is that none of the IRP scenarios assume British Columbia will meet its legally mandated climate targets under