Solar farm in B.C. – country’s largest off-grid solar farm

Link to Post Here: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/ulkatcho-first-nation-anahim-lake-solar-farm-bc-1.7180682

 

Anahim Lake project, said to be country’s largest off-grid solar farm, will greatly reduce reliance on diesel

Ulkatcho First Nation set to build largest off-grid solar power farm in Canada

2 days ago

Duration3:23

A First Nation in Central B.C. is one step closer to having sustainable and clean energy. The Ulkatcho First Nation is set to build the largest off-grid solar power farm in Canada. CBC’s Janella Hamilton travelled to Anahim Lake to learn more about what the project means to the community.

A First Nation in central British Columbia says it will take a step toward “energy sovereignty” when it builds what officials say will be the largest off-grid solar farm in Canada.

Around 1,500 residents of Anahim Lake, home of the Ulkatcho First Nation, and surrounding small communities currently rely entirely on costly diesel for power.

“If we run out of diesel, then the lights go out. That’s it,” said Ulkatcho Elder Mary Williams.

But once built, the solar farm spanning about 12 hectares (30 acres) will supply up to 70 per cent of the electricity the communities need, according to Chief Lynda Price and B.C. Hydro.

“We believe that solar energy will be the source of our ability, for a lot of our families, to live off the grid,” Price told CBC News on Friday from Anahim Lake, which lies around 380 kilometres northwest of Vancouver in B.C.’s Chilcotin region.

“We’re really excited that this is the first stage of our solar power, and I believe our future generations will benefit.”

An empty field.
The solar farm will be built at the site of a former sawmill in Anahim Lake, and its construction and operation will employ many community members, including those who work at the diesel generator, according to B.C. Hydro CEO Chris O’Riley. (CBC News)

On Friday, the Ulkatcho Energy Corporation (UEC), which owns the project, signed a historic 20-year agreement with B.C. Hydro, promising that the public utility will purchase the energy created by the solar farm and integrate it into power lines and a storage system to serve the community.

The $30-million project — which is receiving $16 million in provincial and federal funding — is expected to produce enough electricity to power about 350 of the area’s 5,000 homes, according to B.C. Hydro.

That transition will reduce the community’s reliance on diesel by approximately 1.1 million litres — equivalent to approximately 3,300 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions — per year, B.C. Hydro CEO Chris O’Riley told CBC at the signing ceremony.

The provincial government has currently committed to reducing reliance on diesel for power by 80 per cent by 2030, and B.C. Hydro says Anahim Lake is one of 44 communities still dependent on the fuel.

“It’s important for people to understand how important this project is as part of our larger climate goals, as part of our reconciliation goals with First Nations,” O’Riley said. “And it really is a beacon for others.”

Security, self-determination

Ulkatcho First Nation elected councillor Corrine Cahoose says the solar farm is an important step for the nation’s economic, environmental and cultural self-determination.

“Our people are very resilient in our nation. We lived through all the colonization and the contact and smallpox and the residential schools, the missionaries,” said Cahoose.

An older woman smiles in a parking lot.
Corrine Cahoose, an Ulkatcho First Nation elected councillor, says the project is important from a practical perspective, but also for the nation’s economic, environmental and cultural self-determination. (CBC News)

“We’re all the knowledge keepers of the land. We know every mountain, we know every tree, we know every metal, we know all the animals, we know where they hang out,” she added.

“We have to be the stewards of that land. We have to protect in every way, and this project is one of the ways.”

Anahim Lake community members and experts say the transition to clean energy is also a practical decision.

Wildfires and icy roads often cause power outages, preventing truckloads of diesel from making it to the remote community before generators run out.

“On the whole, there’s very little drawback to actually putting in place these sorts of projects that again just add energy security and reduce costs for off-grid communities,” said Evan Pivnick, with Clean Energy Canada.

Construction at the site of the First Nation’s former sawmill is set to begin by August and the solar farm is projected to be operational by October 2025, according to the UEC.

The UEC, which is owned by the nation’s economic development corporation, will also feed revenue from the sale of solar power to B.C. Hydro into services, infrastructure, education and housing on the First Nation, according to Price and Cahoose.

“The revenue that’s going to come from this project will ensure that we continue to build a healthy future for our children,” said Cahoose.

WATCH | B.C. encourages First Nations to pitch new energy projects to meet growing demand: 

B.C. Hydro seeks pitches from operators for additional electricity supply

21 days ago

Duration2:08

Colleen Giroux-Schmidt, Clean Energy B.C. board chair, tells BC Today host Michelle Eliot that B.C. Hydro is looking to acquire 3,000 gigawatt hours of electricity per year, which would add five per cent to its current supply.

2024 Budget – Key Takeaways for Canadian Solar Installers

Canada Greener Homes Program

Greener Homes Grant (NRCan):

The first tranche of funding ($2.6B) for the Canadian Greener Homes Grant was fully subscribed in early 2024.  Applicants that received their APA numbers are still eligible to complete their retrofits and claim the grant, but the program is closed for new applicants.

Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program (NRCan):

$800 million over five years, starting in 2025-26, to launch a new Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program that will support the direct installation of energy efficiency retrofits for Canadian households with low- to median-incomes. The budget is clear that this additional $800m is for new NRCan grant funding and is to work with the existing Greener Homes Loan program, but it is now clear that there will be no new grant applications possible in 2024.  This information is found on page 79 of the budget.

Greener Homes Loan (CMHC):

The existing 0% interest, 10yr amortization loan of up to $40,000 is still in place with no change to the application process including pre- and post-audits.  Charge Solar believes that, at the current usage rate, there is sufficient remaining funds for new loan applications through to at least the end of 2024.  We will update our customers as we learn more.  Loan website here.

Investment Tax Credits

Clean Technology ITC:

The Clean Technology ITC provides a 20-30% refundable tax credit for Canadian businesses to invest in clean technologies such as solar and battery storage.  While the eligibility window started in March 2023, the legislation is still working its way through Parliament as Bill C-59.  The budget indicates on page 182 that “With the support and collaboration of Parliamentarians, the government anticipates Bill C-59 receiving Royal Assent before June 1, 2024.”  Further information on the Clean Technology ITC is available on our most recent webinar here.

Clean Electricity ITC:

The Clean Electricity ITC provides a 10-15% refundable tax credit to certain taxable and non-taxable corporations, including corporations owned by municipalities or Indigenous communities, and pension investment corporations who invest in clean electricity generating assets such as solar and battery storage.  The eligibility period started on budget day (April 16, 2024) for projects that did not begin construction before March 28, 2023.  Enabling legislation for this ITC is expected to be introduced later in 2024.

 

April 19, 2024
Melanie Dorocicz
Link: https://www.chargesolar.com/info-center/latest/2024-budget-key-takeaways-for-canadian-solar-installers/

BC Hydro launches call for private wind, solar power producers to feed grid

🔌 BC Hydro Launches Call for Private Wind and Solar Power Producers 🔆 

For the first time in 15 years, BC Hydro is inviting bids from the private sector to address the growing demand for electricity in British Columbia. Crown Corporation announced that it needs an additional 3,000 gigawatt hours of electricity annually, enough to power the equivalent of 270,000 homes or a million electric vehicles. 

Key Points: 

  • Increasing Demand: Demand is forecasted to increase by 15% by 2030, necessitating strategic planning to ensure a continued supply of clean, reliable, and affordable electricity. 
  • Renewable Energy: BC Hydro is seeking proposals for large-scale wind and solar projects, with capacities ranging from 40 to 200 megawatts, aiming to add 3,000 gigawatt hours of electricity annually by 2028. 
  • First Nations Ownership: Successful bids must include a minimum of 25% First Nations ownership, aligning with the goal of fostering economic reconciliation. 
  • Resilience and Sustainability: Diversification of the energy mix aims to make the energy system more resilient in the face of extreme weather conditions. 
  • Economic Impact: Anticipated to generate between $2.3 billion and $3.6 billion in private capital spending and create between 800 and 1,500 jobs annually, contributing to both economic growth and sustainability in the province. 

  

  

BC Hydro launches call for private wind, solar power producers to feed grid 

  

By Simon Little  Global News 

Posted April 3, 2024, 5:50 pm EST 

2 min read: 

  

***Video Link***  

For the first time in 15 years, BC Hydro is calling on the private sector to bid on projects to meet the province’s growing need for electricity.   

Crown Corporation said Wednesday that it needs another 3,000 gigawatt hours of electricity annually, enough to power the equivalent of 270,000 homes or a million electric vehicles. “Demand is forecast to increase by 15 per cent between now and 2030,” Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation Minister Josie Osborne said. “Our job in government and BC Hydro’s job is to plan for the future and ensure that we can continue to supply clean, reliable and affordable electricity that people and businesses need.” The utility is calling for the construction of large-scale wind and solar projects, producing between 40 and 200 megawatts, that could be online as early as 2028.  

  

BC Hydro president and CEO Chris O’Reilly said the competitive process will take a bid’s location and what time of year they produce power into account. “The call for power launching today is one of the most important initiatives we currently have underway,” he said. “It’s a key step to increasing electrification and supporting a growing economy and population across British Columbia, and it will help us ensure that we continue to provide clean, affordable power for generations to come.” Successful bids will also need to have a minimum of 25 per cent First Nations ownership, with the aim of supporting “meaningful economic reconciliation.” First Nations will have access to loans through the Canada Infrastructure Bank to help them buy into the projects, he said.  

  

The current call for bids will be the first in a series, launching every two years. “Each successive call will be tailored to the system’s needs at the time of the call’s design, depending on our projected needs at that point in time,” O’Reilly said. The move comes as BC Hydro seeks to diversify its energy mix. About 87 per cent of electricity in B.C. is currently generated by hydroelectricity, but a multi-year drought has raised concerns about future generating capacity in dry conditions. Last year, the utility was forced to import power due to low reservoir levels.  

  

“We know B.C. will continue to see more extreme weather conditions in the years to come and that is why it is important we diversify how we produce electricity by bringing more wind and solar onto the grid, the costs of which have declined dramatically over the past years,” Osborne said. “This will make our energy system more resilient in the years to come.” The province estimates the new power projects will generate between $2.3 billion and $3.6 billion in private capital spending and create between 800 and 1,500 jobs annually. The call for new power sources is in addition to BC Hydro’s own 10-year capital plan, which earmarks $36 billion to expand transmission lines to mines in B.C.’s northwest, build new substations and lines to housing developments and upgrade infrastructure provincewide.  

  

In Summary, BC Hydro’s recent announcement marks a significant shift as, for the first time in 15 years, they are inviting bids from the private sector to address the growing demand for electricity in British Columbia. With a projected increase in demand by 15% by 2030, Energy, Mines, and Low Carbon Innovation Minister Josie Osborne emphasized the importance of planning for the future to ensure a continued supply of clean, reliable, and affordable electricity. The call for bids specifically targets the construction of large-scale wind and solar projects, aiming to add 3,000-gigawatt hours of electricity annually by 2028. Notably, successful bids must include a minimum of 25% First Nations ownership, aligning with the goal of fostering economic reconciliation. This initiative not only seeks to diversify BC Hydro’s energy mix but also aims to make the energy system more resilient in the face of extreme weather conditions. Additionally, it is anticipated to generate significant private capital spending and create hundreds to thousands of jobs annually, contributing to both economic growth and sustainability in the province. 

  

  

Source: https://globalnews.ca/news/10400506/bc-hydro-private-power-call/amp 

 

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