July 20, 2026, Duncan, B.C. — The Clean Energy Association of British Columbia (CEBC) congratulates the Province and BC Hydro on today’s historic announcement of B.C.’s first utility-scale battery energy storage system (BESS), along with the identification of 500 MW of potential battery storage across B.C. under the Powering Growth Plan. Our Interim Executive Director, n̓aasquʔisʔatḥ Stephen Rayner, was pleased to join the Hon. Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions; George Anderson, Parliamentary Secretary for Energy and Climate Solutions; Ajay Kumar, Senior Vice President of Integrated Planning at BC Hydro; and Justin Rangooni, President and CEO of Energy Storage Canada, for today’s important announcement at the Vancouver Island Terminal Substation. This 100 MW BESS project marks a critical milestone in strengthening grid reliability on Vancouver Island and modernizing the provincial power system.
While welcoming the launch of the Duncan facility, CEBC emphasizes that this can be a launching pad for a competitive market model, similar to the successful Calls for Power. To secure B.C.’s clean energy future and address the projected 2030 capacity gap, the Province should seek to unlock the full potential of joint First Nation and private sector investment to deliver critical clean capacity.
In a letter submitted to the Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions and President and CEO of BC Hydro in June, CEBC and its clean energy sector partners outlined recommendations to maximize ratepayer value and accelerate the deployment of the 500 MW of BESS capacity identified under BC Hydro’s Powering Growth plan.
The letter emphasized that BESS stands out as the most cost-effective and rapidly deployable clean capacity technology available today. Private sector BESS projects are routinely brought to commercial operation within two to three years of contract award in mature markets across the globe.
Building out the 500 MW of battery storage capacity identified by BC Hydro represents a remarkable economic opportunity for British Columbia, promising high-skilled local jobs, major capital investment, and meaningful partnerships for First Nations. First Nations with private sector partners are uniquely positioned to finance, build, and operate these assets—driving down costs through competition and protecting ratepayers from risks by leaning on decades of storage experience in international markets.
“Today is a proud moment for B.C.’s grid, and we applaud the government for taking this vital step,” said Interim Executive Director Stephen Rayner. “The clean energy sector stands ready to help deliver innovative battery projects under the Powering Growth Plan. By leveraging competitive procurement models for future utility-scale batteries across B.C., we can replicate the success of the Calls for Power, maximize ratepayer value, and foster meaningful partnerships that strengthen our economy for generations to come.”
CEBC looks forward to continuing our close collaboration with the Province, BC Hydro, and First Nations during the design of BESS permitting and RFPs in the coming months and years to ensure B.C.’s clean and competitive future is fully realized.
See the Government of B.C. news release here: BC Gov News
Clean Energy Association of British Columbia
The Clean Energy Association of British Columbia (CEBC) is the voice of B.C.’s clean energy sector, representing more than 200 members including clean energy companies, First Nations, service providers, and academic institutions driving the province’s renewable energy industry. CEBC’s mission is to advance B.C.’s transition to low-carbon energy through policy and clean electrification.
Media Contact:
info@cleanenergybc.org
