British Columbia's clean energy industry welcomes Clean Power Call results

$3 billion in new clean energy projects announced

VANCOUVER, March 11 /CNW/ - BC's Independent Power Producers Association today welcomed the results of BC Hydro's Clean Power Call.

"The first award of contracts under BC Hydro's Clean Power Call is a positive step forward for British Columbia's clean energy industry and good news for the province's economy," said Paul Kariya, Executive Director of the Independent Power Producers of British Columbia.

BC Hydro awarded 19 separate energy purchase agreements to 10 proponents today under the utility's Clean Power Call, totaling 2,400 gigawatt hours of clean electricity annually, enough to power more than 218,000 homes. The successful projects include hydro and wind technologies.

"These projects will produce cost-effective, clean, made-in-BC electricity that will create new jobs for British Columbians and grow the economy in communities throughout the province," said Kariya. "They represent $3 billion in new capital investment for British Columbia and more than 3,000 person years of employment during their construction."

"The Clean Power Call and future calls will contribute to some $8 billion in economic growth in BC's clean energy sector. Up to 87,000 person years of employment will be created in construction alone over the next decade. Another 9,100 full-time jobs will be created once these projects are operational," said Kariya. "This is about building a clean energy legacy that will benefit British Columbians now and well into the future."

Launched in June 2008, BC Hydro's Clean Power Call targeted up to 5,000 gigawatt hours of clean or renewable electricity through a competitive bidding process. BC Hydro eliminated 21 proposals in November 2009. In addition to the 19 contracts awarded today, BC Hydro announced it will continue to negotiate energy purchase agreements with the proponents of the 28 proposals that remain in the call process. Further contract awards are anticipated later in March.

"The awarding of up to 5,000 gigawatt hours of contracts under the Clean Power Call along with the Campbell government's commitment to implement critical clean energy initiatives in the coming months will instill certainty and confidence in British Columbia as a North American clean energy leader," added Kariya.

IPPBC is BC's clean energy sector advocate. Its 320 members comprise developers and support service providers who supply clean energy from run-of-river hydro, wind, bio-mass and new emerging fuels. In partnership with First Nations, BC Hydro, BC Transmission Corporation, as well as provincial and federal governments and local communities, the clean energy sector is poised to contribute significantly to new jobs, investment and economic growth for British Columbia.

For further information: Paul Kariya, Executive Director, Cell: [phone]