The Province is taking action to speed up the expansion of British Columbia’s electricity grid by enabling the BC Energy Regulator (BCER) to act as a one-window regulator for permits necessary to support the North Coast Transmission Line (NCTL) and other high-voltage electricity transmission projects.

“We urgently need to expand our electricity system in the North to meet the needs of growing industries that want to use clean energy to sustain and expand their operations, creating jobs and economic benefits for First Nations and communities,” said Premier David Eby. “The BC Energy Regulator is an experienced organization that has demonstrated expertise at getting projects moving quickly, while providing robust regulatory oversight through the life cycle of projects.”

To ensure that BC Hydro’s North Coast Transmission Line can deliver clean power to regional industries and businesses as quickly and efficiently as possible, the Province will make legislative amendments in spring 2025 to enable the BCER to adjudicate permits and authorizations associated with the construction of the NCTL and other major high-voltage transmission lines.

The amendments will leverage the BCER’s experience with linear infrastructure (a lengthy footprint crossing multiple regions, territories and ecosystems), and one-window life-cycle regulation to expedite the permitting, approval and construction of the NCTL in partnership with the Province, BC Hydro and First Nations. 

“If the NCTL is not built, and built quickly, major critical minerals, future port expansions, and LNG, hydrogen and other important resource projects may not proceed,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions. “We need to move this vital project forward to realize B.C.’s resource-development potential and create jobs and investment opportunities, while achieving provincial climate targets.”

The north coast of B.C. is seeing significant growth and prospective investment in many areas, including ports, critical-mineral exploration and mining, and LNG and hydrogen initiatives, all driving demand for clean electricity. The area is currently served by one 500-kilovolt transmission line running from Prince George to Terrace, which does not have the capacity to serve the increasing demand.  

The NCTL project will construct a new transmission line running about 450 kilometres between Prince George and Terrace. The project will be comprised of two new transmission line segments and associated towers, as well as upgrades to existing substation and capacitor station infrastructure.

BC Hydro is working with First Nations to identify leading routes for the new line. At the same time, BC Hydro and the Province are advancing discussions with First Nations regarding co-ownership of the transmission line.

A number of provincial permits will be required throughout the planning, development and construction of the project, including under the Forest Act, the Heritage Conservation Act, the Land Act, the Wildlife Act and the Water Sustainability Act. 

The Energy Resource Activities Act enables the BCER to act as a one-window regulator by giving it responsibility for provincial authorizations required for oil, gas, hydrogen, ammonia and methanol activities, and overseeing exploration, development, operations and restoration. The BCER also regulates geothermal resources through the Geothermal Resource Act and associated regulations and additional authorities.

Quotes:

Michelle Carr, chief executive officer, BC Energy Regulator –

“Permitting and regulating the North Coast Transmission Line aligns with the British Columbia Energy Regulator’s recently expanded mandate and our mission to support the transition to low-carbon energy. The BCER has a long history of providing effective single-window regulatory oversight for the life cycle of B.C.’s oil, gas and other energy resources, and our regulatory expertise will lend itself to this work as we take on these new responsibilities.”

Chris O’Riley, president and chief executive officer, BC Hydro –

“The north coast region of the province is ready for significant growth, and we are working to expand our transmission infrastructure in the region to meet the growing demand for electricity. In addition, the proposed expansion provides an opportunity to advance reconciliation by partnering with First Nations, including Indigenous co-ownership of the new transmission lines.”

Quick Facts:

• The NCTL is part of BC Hydro’s 10-year capital plan that will invest $36 billion over the next decade for community and regional infrastructure investments throughout the province, including $4.7 billion for the North.
• In a 2023 expression of interest, BC Hydro received submissions from 29 companies representing more than 5,000 megawatts of new potential electricity demand, which is approximately 2.5 times the current BC Hydro transmission line capacity servicing the region.
• New construction projects under BC Hydro’s capital plan are projected to support 10,500-12,500 jobs on average annually.

Learn More:

To learn more about the BC Energy Regulator, visit: https://www.bc-er.ca/

To find out about BC Hydro’s North Coast Transmission Line project, visit: https://www.bchydro.com/energy-in-bc/projects/north-coast-bc-electrification.html