VICTORIA — Evan Pivnick, Clean Energy Program Manager for Clean Energy Canada, made the following statement in response to the B.C. government’s new Clean Power Action Plan.
“Today’s release of B.C.’s Clean Power Action Plan is an incredibly important step forward, anchoring clean electricity as a vital part of addressing some of the most pressing challenges the province faces. From affordability to economic competitiveness and energy security, building out our clean electricity supply is a no-regrets action that positions B.C. for success in an increasingly turbulent global economy.
“Rapidly following up on last year’s call for renewable power with the launch of a second call in partnership with First Nations and independent power producers, B.C. is strategically positioning itself to meet growing demand for clean electricity as households and industry electrify. These projects can also help drive additional clean investment in B.C. while bringing jobs and investment to regions across the province.
“Modern renewables are the fastest-growing and most affordable form of new electricity worldwide, and they pair especially well with B.C.’s baseload hydro power, as reservoir levels can be kept higher for later use when renewable power is abundant and cheap. BC Hydro already does this with renewables imported from other jurisdictions, opportunistically buying power when it’s cheap to keep reservoir levels higher. While power trading keeps prices lower for ratepayers, B.C. should also build up this beneficial dynamic here at home.
“Equally important are the steps the action plan takes to expand clean capacity as well as identify new homegrown clean technologies and enhanced opportunities for energy efficiency and accelerated connection timelines. While the clean power call will likely see the most attention, these other measures are vital for modernizing B.C.’s electricity system, maximizing the role of renewables while taking advantage of low-cost energy efficiency resources.
“Recent polling commissioned by Clean Energy Canada shows that the average B.C. voter across the political spectrum supports climate-aligned objectives, such as doubling renewable energy and expanding household electrification. The province has also long grappled with perhaps the worst affordability crisis in the country. Affordability is a long-term problem requiring long-term solutions, and clean energy paired with household electrification provides exactly that: truly sustainable savings.”
