Renewable Energy in British Columbia: 15 Facts

BC Renewable Energy Facts

Ruskin Dam, Hayward Lake, B.C.

#1 - B.C. Hydro, the province’s crown corporation utility provider, supplies approximately five million people with reliable electricity ^[1]

#2 - Approximately 98% of BC Hydro’s electricity came from renewable sources in 2023/24, including: ^[1]

• 90% hydro
• 5% biomass
• 4% wind
• 1% solar

#3 - BC Hydro provides power to approximately 95% of the province’s population ^[1]

#4 - BC Hydro operates 30 hydro plants and over 300 substations, utilizing 80,000 kilometres (km) of transmission and distribution lines ^[1]

#5 - Overall, 91% of the power delivered to B.C. energy consumers comes from BC Hydro facilities ^[3]

#6 - The recently completed Site C Hydro Dam has enough generation capacity to power 500,000 homes and increase BC Hydro’s total supply by 8% ^[4]

#7 - The Mica Generating Station is one of B.C.’s largest hydro facilities, with a generation capacity of 2,746 megawatts (MW) and can power more than 650,000 homes every year ^[5]

#8 - B.C. is home to several operational wind power projects, including: Pennask, Shinish Creek, Cape Scott, Dokie Ridge, Bear Mountain, Okanagan Wind, Meikle, Moose Lake, Quality ^[2]

#9 - The upcoming Aspen Solar and Energy Storage Project will have approximately 100MW of solar power generation capacity and up to 400 megawatt-hours (MWh) energy storage capacity in the Southern Interior Region of B.C., spanning across 700 acres with the ability to power up to 20,000 homes ^[7]

#10 - Although in its infancy, B.C. was home to more than 50% of Canada’s hydrogen and fuel cell facilities in 2022 ^[6]

#11 - B.C. could earn up to $2.5 billion in annual GDP through the use and export of hydrogen, with exports having a potential of generating $305 billion in economic activity by 2050 and potentially creating 3,750 new jobs ^[6]

#12 - Another energy source in its infant stages of development, the province of B.C> has identified 16 potential geothermal sites, with six of them having the potential of generating 1,000 MW collectively

#13 - The South Meager Geothermal Project, for example, has been assessed as having a generating capacity of up to 100MW, enough to power 80,000 homes ^[7]

#14 - Clean Energy Canada forecasts that approximately 317,000 jobs will be created by renewable expansion in B.C. between 2025 and 2050 ^[7]

#15 - BC Hydro’s capital plans and first call for additional power generation is estimated to create up to $40 billion in public and private capital investments, and up to 14,000 construction jobs annually ^[7]

BC’s Renewable Energy Goals

Brillian Dam, Castlegar, B.C.

In a significant move to bolster its renewable energy sector, the B.C. government has announced a new call for power through BC Hydro. This initiative aims to acquire up to 5,000 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of new renewable electricity annually, which is enough to power half a million homes. Premier David Eby stated that B.C. is poised to become the economic engine of Canada, driven by this expansion in clean electricity ^[8].

A key component of this 2025 call for power is the mandated partnership with First Nations, requiring them to hold at least 25% equity ownership in any proposed project. This follows a successful 2024 call that saw ten new projects established with substantial First Nations ownership.

"We're doubling down on renewable power, expanding our grid and supporting First Nations leadership in energy development," said Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions.

The new call for power is part of the province's broader Clean Power Action Plan, which will be supported by BC Hydro's $36-billion, 10-year capital plan to enhance the power grid. This strategy is designed to accelerate progress towards B.C.'s economic and climate goals. BC Hydro is supposed to issue new calls for added power every two years, ensuring a steady growth in the province's renewable energy capacity over the next several years, ensuring B.C. retains its position as a global leader in renewables.

Apart from British Columbia’s existing world-class record on renewables, the province has also made several long-term commitments to reduce its environmental footprint.

For example, BC was home to 20,000 electric vehicles as of 2018. By 2030, the province expects to see more than 300,000 EVs on its streets, helping reduce GHG emissions via hydropower electricity used to charge them.

BC’s electric vehicle goals are just one of many ways it has committed to further reducing GHG emissions over the next several years.

Join Us Today!

Are you interested in learning more about renewable energy in B.C. and the rest of Canada? If so, we invite you to join us and hundreds of thousands of other Canadians online at Canada Action on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram today -- See you there!

As the global demand for reliable energy continues to rise, fossil fuels remain the dominant source.

Fortunately, Canada has oil and natural gas to help meet those demands.

As long as the world needs more energy, it should be coming from Canada. pic.twitter.com/ORv7U6R3AD

— Canada Action (@CanadaAction) July 28, 2025

SOURCES:

_{1 - https://www.bchydro.com/content/dam/BCHydro/customer-portal/documents/corporate/accountability-reports/financial-reports/annual-reports/bc-hydro-quick-facts-2023-24.pdf}

_{2 - https://cleanenergybc.org/sector/wind/}

_{3 - https://www.bchydro.com/toolbar/about/sustainability/our-clean-system.html}

_{4 - https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025ECS0033-000724}

_{5 - https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/climate-plan/clean-electricity/overview-british-columbia.html}

_{6 - https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/climate-plan/clean-electricity/overview-british-columbia.html}

_{7 - https://recurrentenergy.com/project/aspen-solar-and-energy-storage/}

_{8 - https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025ECS0033-000724}