Strong response to 2025 call for power, delivering clean, affordable energy

Press Release

May 13, 2026

VANCOUVER –

Summary

BC Hydro is awarding electricity purchase agreements to four renewable projects in northern B.C. and the southern Interior through its 2025 call for power
The projects will deliver approximately 3,500 gigawatt hours of clean electricity annually, enough to power 350,000 more homes
All projects include 51% First Nations equity ownership, and are expected to generate $4.3 billion in private investment, more than $2 billion in ownership for First Nations partners and 1,500 jobs
Combined with the 2024 call for power, BC Hydro will add 8,500 gigawatt hours of clean and renewable electricity by 2033, enough to power 850,000 homes

BC Hydro is advancing four new renewable energy projects that will strengthen B.C.’s clean-energy supply, support economic growth and deliver lasting benefits to communities and First Nations throughout the province.

“Clean, affordable electricity is essential to strengthening B.C.’s ability to power itself, grow the economy and attract private-sector investment that creates good jobs across the province, and that’s why we’re taking transformative action now to build out BC Hydro’s system,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions. “These projects significantly expand our electricity supply, supporting long-term growth while keeping power reliable and affordable for people and businesses.”

BC Hydro received a strong response to the call for power launched in July 2025, with 14 proposals totalling more than 9,100 gigawatt hours per year, nearly double the targeted amount. Following a competitive evaluation process, it is awarding 30-year electricity purchase agreements to four wind projects. The projects will provide 3,500 gigawatt hours per year of electricity, enough to power 350,000 more homes, boosting BC Hydro’s current supply by 5%.

The 2025 call for power builds on the 2024 call for power, which secured 5,000 gigawatt-hours of clean electricity from 10 wind and solar projects. The calls are part of the Province’s plans to expand British Columbia’s clean-energy supply and infrastructure to power economic growth as part of the biggest BC Hydro build-out since the 1960s and 1970s.

Delivering clean power, new investment and jobs

Projects are expected to begin coming online as early as 2032, with all projects in service by October 2033. The development and construction of the new clean-energy projects will generate as much as $4.3 billion in private capital spending and create 1,500 jobs throughout the province.

All selected projects exceed 200 megawatts, ranging from 201 to 496 megawatts:

Bessie Wind Project (Dawson Creek) – 251 megawatts
Nicola Wind Project (West Kelowna) – 496 megawatts
Sweetwater Wind Project (Dawson Creek) – 210 megawatts
Taylor South Wind Project (Taylor) – 201 megawatts

As with the 2024 call for power, projects were required to include a minimum 25% equity ownership held by First Nations. All four successful energy projects will have 51% equity ownership. It represents more than $2 billion of ownership by First Nations in the new renewable energy projects in the province. In addition, each successful project will provide non-equity benefits to two First Nations per project.

Following its participation in the first call, Canada Infrastructure Bank continues to support First Nations as active participants in British Columbia’s clean-energy transition by providing access to competitive financing in the 2025 call for power.

Powering the future

“Expanding wind generation strengthens and diversifies BC Hydro’s power supply, while our flexible hydroelectric system ensures reliability when wind conditions change,” said Charlotte Mitha, president and CEO, BC Hydro. “Together, these projects will play a key role in delivering the clean, affordable electricity B.C. needs to drive economic growth and support strong, resilient communities.”

The 3,500-gigawatt-hours volume reflects a measured approach that balances near-term energy needs with affordability, while preserving flexibility to respond to future demand. BC Hydro remains confident in its ability to secure additional energy as needed through regular, competitive calls for power that align with demand, as well as through the development of additional clean or renewable resources. Together, the Province and BC Hydro are taking these actions to ensure long-term access to clean, reliable electricity to support growth throughout British Columbia, while protecting affordability for customers.

Quotes:

n̓aasquʔisʔatḥ (Stephen Rayner), interim executive director, Clean Energy BC –

“The 2025 call demonstrates what is possible when First Nations and industry collaborate to advance world-class projects with local ownership and community benefits at their core. These historic investments will deliver the enabling infrastructure needed to advance nation-building projects, energy sovereignty and economic growth across B.C. Clean Energy BC is proud to represent all call for power proponents and looks forward to collaborating with the Province to advance these priority projects under the Look West strategy.”

Ehren Cory, CEO, Canada Infrastructure Bank –

“These four new wind projects will help the province and provide a significant amount of energy necessary to meet its clean-energy goals. Through our market-proven Indigenous Equity Initiative, the Canada Infrastructure Bank is making loans available as an option for participating First Nations to help finance up to 90% of their equity position in a project in which the Canada Infrastructure Bank is also investing.”

Quick Facts:

Over the past 18 months, BC Hydro has awarded 14 electricity purchase agreements to new clean energy projects in B.C., enough to power approximately 850,000 homes.
BC Hydro is adding a sixth generating unit at the Revelstoke generating station that will deliver 500 megawatts of cost-effective capacity, create 450 jobs and generate $60 million in local spending.
Upgrading units 1-5 at the G.M. Shrum generating station will add another 100 megawatts of renewable hydro capacity.
Electricity demand in B.C. is expected to increase by approximately 20% between now and 2030, and B.C. has the third lowest electricity rates in North America.

Learn More:

For more information about BC Hydro’s 2025 call for power, visit: bchydro.com/callforpower
For information about the 2024 call for power, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2024ECS0048-001643

A backgrounder follows.

Contacts:

Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions
Media Relations
Energymedia@gov.bc.ca

BC Hydro
Media Relations
media@bchydro.com
604-928-6488

BACKGROUNDER

What to know about B.C.’s newest wind projects

The four wind projects awarded electricity purchase agreements from BC Hydro’s 2025 call for power are in northern B.C. and the southern Interior.

Bessie Wind Project (Dawson Creek)