The BC government has announced a new competitive approach to approving clean energy projects and is calling for expansion for the province’s AI sector.
BC Hydro and the Province are implementing these measures as a way to help manage the rising demand of electricity in BC while prioritizing the growth of AI.
According to the Province, the AI sector is growing rapidly, creating an increased importance of new data centres to protect and secure Canadian data.
However, AI and data centres require massive amounts of energy to operate, so the Province needs to responsibly manage the growth of AI and data centres while balancing energy needs.
This balancing act has prompted changes that will prioritize electricity service to projects that will provide the greatest benefits and jobs for people in British Columbia.
To ensure that priority projects are chosen, Bill 31, the Energy Statutes Amendment Act, has been implemented.
This new regulation implements the requirement for prospective AI and data-centre projects to take part in a competitive selection process to access clean electricity.
Project applications will be assessed based on price, as well as their economic, community, data sovereignty and environmental benefits.
Mining, liquefied natural gas (LNG), forestry, manufacturing or hydrogen for domestic use projects will not have to go through this same competitive process.
“Clean electricity is essential to BC’s economic success, and demand is growing quickly,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions.
“By managing demand carefully and directing power to projects that deliver the greatest long-term benefits, we will build our province, while protecting affordability and reliability for British Columbians.”
The competitive process officially opened on January 30th. Successful applicants will be notified in September whether their application was selected as a priority project.
