VANCOUVER — JESSICA MCILROY, manager of the Buildings program at the Pembina Institute, made the following statement in response to today’s announcement from BC Hydro on the results of its 2024 Call for Power:
“B.C. has long been a leader in clean energy in Canada, and today’s news from the provincial power utility sets the stage for that leadership to continue.
“This hugely positive response to this year’s call for clean power helps position B.C. for economic success and community health in the decades to come. It shows the province is setting itself up to meet anticipated electricity demand growth while continuing to flourish in the low-carbon economy. As we shift from the age of fossil fuels to the age of electricity, we will need to accelerate the expansion of low-cost clean electricity to power industrial growth, to give certainty to investors in the global clean energy economy, and to support our own efforts to decarbonize by electrifying our buildings and transportation systems.
“B.C. is well-positioned to excel in the age of electricity with its 98% emissions-free grid, and today’s announcement indicates the province intends to retain and grow its clean electricity supply. Increasing the province’s wind capacity and investing in energy efficiency will increase that supply by 11%, providing enough energy to power 700,000 homes.
“Indigenous leadership and ownership are vital to a strong and resilient energy grid, as well as broader efforts toward reconciliation. We trust this call for power will result in numerous positive opportunities for First Nation communities in the new energy economy.”
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Contact
Brendan Glauser
Senior Director, Communications, Pembina Institute
604-356-8829
Background
Report: A Clean, Resilient Future: Recommendations for advancing British Columbia’s net-zero energy economy
