Electrifying the Energy Transition
Clean Energy BC’s members provide reliable electricity to BC residents, primarily through production partnerships with BC Hydro.
Our members’ projects are delivered on time at the lowest cost with zero construction risk to the BC Hydro ratepayer and taxpayer. The sector supports the cultivation of energy sovereignty, fostering self-determination and capacity building within First Nation communities. Our membership includes several First Nations that own and operate or partner on clean energy projects. Private sector investment in BC’s electricity system has enhanced the grid’s dependability and contributes to a high standard of living in British Columbia by providing regional economic growth, from stable family-supporting jobs, regional procurement and substantial local and provincial taxes.
BC’s Current Energy Mix
BC is abundant in natural resources, including clean and reliable renewable electricity.
Approximately 95% of BC’s electricity production is clean. However, electricity accounts for only 22% of the total energy we consume. Most energy consumed (78%) is sourced from fossil fuels. The transportation sector, heating our built environments, and many industrial activities still rely primarily on fossil fuels, which produce greenhouse gas emissions. Fuel-switching from these fossil fuels (like gasoline, oil and natural gas) to low-carbon electricity is key in meeting the Government of BC’s CleanBC greenhouse gas reduction targets.
BC’s electricity resources provide a clear pathway for decarbonizing our energy system and can serve as a catalyst for electrification in other sectors. Our clean electricity system is BC’s advantage; it is imperative that we leverage it to grow and future-proof our economy while meeting greenhouse gas reduction targets.
Supporting Decarbonization in BC
BC’s climate change action plan, Clean BC, identifies electrification as a primary means for reducing greenhouse gas emissions across industry, transportation and the built environment. CEBC supports this policy.
The Role of Clean Energy IPPs in the Energy Transition
Independent power producers (IPP’s) have the expertise to supply the affordable and safe renewable energy required to decarbonize our energy system with speed, innovation and agility thereby transferring the inherent risks associated with infrastructure development, operation and maintenance to private sector investors.
Clean electricity facilities that are owned and operated by – or partnered with – First Nations are helping to charge economic reconciliation within BC. Furthermore, the cost of renewable energy and storage technologies has rapidly decreased while the technology has advanced to provide more flexibility and reliability. While there are a multitude of different models and scenarios for achieving a global energy transition, the transition to a low-carbon energy future in BC will be built on the backbone of BC’s clean electricity system and continuing production partnerships between First Nations, IPPs and BC Hydro.