British Columbia and BC Hydro have announced a competitive process for clean power in high-demand sectors to help manage rising electricity demand.

The Canadian province reports that its artificial intelligence (AI) sector is rapidly growing and there is growing recognition of the importance of data centres to protect and secure Canadian data. At the same time, to responsibly manage the growth of AI and data centres, and balance critical energy needs, the province has made changes that will prioritise electricity service to projects in these emerging sectors that provide the greatest benefits and jobs for people in British Columbia, and do so at an appropriate pace.

Prioritises clean electricity

The new approach, enabled through Bill 31, prioritises clean electricity for projects that deliver the greatest long-term economic, community and environmental benefits for people in British Columbia.

“Clean electricity is essential to BC’s economic success, and demand is growing quickly,” said Adrian Dix, minister of energy and climate solutions. “By managing demand carefully and directing power to projects that deliver the greatest long-term benefits, we will build our province, while protecting affordability and reliability for British Columbians.”

“The new competitive process will give emerging proponents a fair, transparent pathway to access clean electricity in a way that protects long-term affordability and grid reliability for our customers”

Dix continued: “At the same time, we are creating a clear path for emerging industries, like AI, to quickly and efficiently get the power they need, positioning British Columbia as a leader in innovation and data sovereignty.”

Competitive selection for emerging high-load industries:

• Through Bill 31, the Energy Statutes Amendment Act, and a new regulation, there is now a requirement for prospective AI and data-centre projects to take part in a competitive selection process to access clean electricity
• This requirement does not apply to traditional industries, such as mining, liquefied natural gas (LNG), forestry, manufacturing or hydrogen for domestic use