New wind projects will boost B.C.’s affordable clean-energy supply
(flickr.com)

Media Contacts

Office of the Premier

Media Relations
premier.media@gov.bc.ca

Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions

Media Relations
Tania.venn@gov.bc.ca
250 208-6183

BC Hydro

Media Relations
Media@bchydro.com
604 928-6468

Backgrounders

Successful wind-power projects

The nine successful wind-energy projects selected from the 2024 call for power are geographically diverse, representing almost every region in the province. 

Boulder and Elkhart Wind Project

  • Proponent: Elkhart Wind Limited Partnership
  • IPP partner: Elemental Energy
  • First Nation partner: Upper Nicola Band
  • Project size in megawatts (MW): 94
  • Regional system: South Interior West

Brewster Wind Project

  • Proponent: Brewster Wind Inc.
  • IPP partner: Capstone Infrastructure
  • First Nation partner: Wei Wai Kum First Nation
  • Project size (MW): 197
  • Regional system: Vancouver Island

Highland Valley Wind Project

  • Proponent: Highland Valley Wind Inc.
  • IPP partner: Capstone Infrastructure
  • First Nation partner: Ashcroft Indian Band
  • Project size (MW): 197
  • Regional system: South Interior West

K2 Wind Project

  • Proponent: K2 Wind Power Inc.
  • IPP partner: Innergex Renewable Energy Inc.
  • First Nation partner: Westbank First Nation
  • Project size (MW): 160
  • Regional system: South Interior West

Mount Mabel Wind Project

  • Proponent: Mount Mabel Wind Inc.
  • IPP partner: Capstone Infrastructure
  • First Nation partner: Lower Nicola Indian Band
  • Project size (MW): 143
  • Regional system: South Interior West

Nilhts’I Ecoener Project

  • Proponent: Nilhts’I Ecoener Energy Corp
  • IPP partner: Ecoener
  • First Nations partner: Lheidli T´enneh
  • Project Size (MW): 140
  • Regional system: Central Interior

Nithi Mountain Wind Project

  • Proponent: General Partnership
  • IPP partner: Innergex Renewable Energy Inc.
  • First Nation partner: Stellat’en First Nation
  • Project size (MW): 200
  • Regional system: North Coast

Stewart Creek Wind Project

  • Proponent: Stewart Creek Power Inc.
  • IPP partner: Innergex Renewable Energy Inc.
  • First Nation partner: West Moberly First Nation
  • Project Size (MW): 200
  • Regional system: Peace

Taylor Wind Project

  • Proponent: Taylor Wind Project Inc.
  • IPP partner: EDF Renewables
  • First Nation partner: Saulteau First Nations
  • Project size (MW): 200
  • Regional system: Peace
Province streamlines regulatory process for wind-generation projects

The Province’s action to exempt wind projects from environmental assessment processes will aid in the development of new sources of clean energy to help British Columbia achieve its climate and sustainable economic development goals, while growing current and future energy development partnerships with First Nations throughout the Province.

British Columbia remains committed to maintaining appropriate and robust environmental standards, while ensuring that these successful call for power projects are reviewed effectively and built expeditiously. Project review processes will continue to be designed to support environmental sustainability, stewardship and reconciliation objectives, while maintaining public confidence in regulatory oversight of the implementation of these new energy projects.

The Province will consult with First Nations to ensure alignment of this work in ongoing permitting and related processes to ensure continued environmental protection and shared objectives.

Natural resource ministries and agencies have been preparing to support the required regulatory pathway for independent power projects since the call for power was issued earlier this year.

Under the leadership of the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, and with support from BC Hydro, a “one window” permitting approach has been developed to support successful proponents in an efficient regulatory process. The “one window” approach provides navigator support to applicants from the time they are considering applications through to decision-making, across provincial ministries.

Navigators are dedicated resources that will help guide proponents through all stages of their project, including an early review of permits required and co-ordination of natural-resource ministries in the review of the project, providing timely response and escalation of issues. Provincial ministries will collaborate under the “one window” through area hub teams, ensuring co-ordinated and efficient consultation with First Nations, public engagement and providing efficiencies and transparency to decision-making.

Beyond permitting specific components, the Clean Energy and Major Projects Office with the Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions will be available as a resource to successful call for power proponents to provide additional pathfinding assistance and to support identifying and addressing potential barriers to project implementation.