BC Hydro Annual Report 2001

A D D I N G G A S T O T H E E N E R G Y M I X
Unfortunately, new green energy sources are not yet financially
viable on a large scale. So we had to find a cost-effective and
reliable way to meet the province’s energy demands in the
short term. Natural gas, the cleanest burning of all fossil fuels,
is currently the best fit. We view it as a “bridge” to the future,
where more green energy technologies will be added to the mix.
BC Hydro is participating in a 50-50 joint venture agreement
to build a 260-megawatt natural gas-fired plant in Port Alberni.
We have also agreed to buy power from an independent 250megawatt
natural gas generating plant in Campbell River.
S H A R I N G A W E A L T H O F W A T E R
Finding a balance between protecting our environment
and supplying reliable, low-cost electricity is not always easy.
As the province’s largest electricity company, BC Hydro is paying
close attention to the environmental and social implications
of our operations.
Recognizing that water is a shared resource, BC Hydro continues
to work with interested parties to find a better balance between
competing uses of water that is socially, environmentally and
economically acceptable to British Columbians. Water Use
Planning ensures that water uses such as hydroelectric,
To increase gas transportation capacity to Vancouver Island, a
partnership has been formed with Williams Gas Pipeline Company
to build a natural gas pipeline that will run from the state of
Washington to the Island.
Energy demand in the future may well be met through wind, solar,
tidal or geothermal power. We are closely watching developments
in these areas. We are also investing in research and development
of new distributed resources such as microturbines and fuel cells.
industrial, recreational, community, flood management and
fish habitat are considered when reviewing facility operations.
Over the next three years we will continue to develop Water
Use Plans for all our hydroelectric facilities. Plans for Stave
Falls/Ruskin and Alouette are already complete; currently in
progress are plans for Ash River, Bridge River, Campbell River,
Cheakamus, Coquitlam/Buntzen, Jordan River, Peace, Shuswap,
Wahleach and Mica/Revelstoke/Keenleyside.
RECOGNIZING THAT WATER IS A SHARED
RESOURCE, WE ARE WORKING TO FIND
A BETTER BALANCE BETWEEN COMPETING
USES THAT IS SOCIALLY, ENVIRONMENTALLY
AND ECONOMICALLY ACCEPTABLE.