Geothermal Power Markets

British Columbia , historically self-reliant in electricity production, has been a net importer of electricity since 2001 with imports representing 7,000 GWh in 2006 (13.5% of load). Currently the power demand exceeds supply in British Columbia. The demand is expected to increase by up to 45% over the next 20 years.

In November 2002, the British Columbia government issued an Energy Plan ( Energy For Our Future: A Plan for BC) which directed BC Hydro, the Crown corporation responsible for 80% of the power generation in the province, to increase its purchases of electricity from independent power producers (IPPs). The government and BC Hydro also set an objective of 50% of that electricity to come from “green” energy sources.

On July 27, 2006, BC Hydro awarded 38 contracts to IPPs across BC. The contracts included 29 hydro, three wind, two biomass, two waste heat and two coal/biomass projects totaling approximately 7,000 GWh of energy per year. BC Hydro currently is engaged in consultations with IPPs with respect to the design of a 2007 Call For Tenders for a similar amount of power.

BC Energy Plan 2007:

The BC Energy Plan puts British Columbia at the forefront of environmental and economic leadership. This plan looks to all forms of clean, alternative energy in meeting British Columbians’ needs in the provincial economy.

Bioenergy, geothermal energy, tidal, run-of-river, solar and wind power are all potential energy sources in a clean, renewable future.

New technologies and new solutions will be encouraged to “green the grid” and provide clean remote energy and reduce energy losses.