BC Hydro takes measures to protect environment, infrastructure and communities from flooding, after decrease in power use

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The report examines how the drop in demand for power coupled with high inflows from spring snowmelt and a limited export market have created a large surplus in BC Hydro’s system–creating challenges for BC Hydro and the potential for its reservoirs to reach capacity.

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Also adding to BC Hydro’s surplus challenges is the majority of the Independent Power Producers it has agreements with are producing the most amount of energy at this time of year–accounting for about 29 per cent of BC Hydro’s total generation.

BC Hydro is taking several measures to protect the safety of the public, the environment and its system:

• Shutting down operations at some of its smaller plants to reduce generation
• Spilling water at its facilities, including Seven Mile and Revelstoke, to balance generation and the province’s electricity load in real-time when needed
• Reducing generation from other sources, including invoking provisions within its contracts with some of its large IPPs to reduce power purchases during the spring
• Powerex – BC Hydro’s trading subsidiary – will export electricity to other jurisdictions

BC Hydro President and CEO, Chris O’Riley says that by taking the measures listed above, they will be able to avoid the public safety and environmental risks that would be created by excessive spilling at their facilities.