BC Hydro issued a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) to acquire clean or renewable electricity through Electricity Purchase Agreements (EPAs). The call was designed to help ensure British Columbia has sufficient clean or renewable energy to meet future electricity needs, aligning with the 2021 Integrated Resource Plan which identified the need to acquire approximately 3,000 gigawatt-hours (GWh) per year of additional energy as early as late fall 2028.
The RFP sought energy from clean or renewable resources that were cost-effective for ratepayers, with projects capable of coming online as early as fall 2028. A meaningful First Nations partnership component was required for all submissions. BC Hydro completed an engagement process with First Nations, Independent Power Producers, and stakeholders prior to issuing the RFP to gather input on the planned approach.
Key milestones included an RFP issue date of April 3, 2024, with a Competitive Electricity Acquisition Process (CEAP) interconnection request pre-submission deadline of April 19, 2024. Prospective bidders were required to submit a registration form by May 1, 2024, and CEAP interconnection requests (including deposits) by May 22, 2024. The RFP closing date and proposal submission deadline was September 16, 2024. Informational meetings were held on May 14 and 16, 2024, and an additional proposal submission informational meeting was conducted on August 22, 2024.
In December 2024, BC Hydro awarded 10 Electricity Purchase Agreements to successful proponents that will provide nearly 5,000 gigawatt-hours (GWh) per year of clean, renewable electricity to the grid. All RFP documents, call materials, informational presentations, questions and answers, and participant information are available through BC Hydro's website.