Green Power Project Criteria
BC Hydro has stated in 2001 that over the next ten years its goal is to ensure that 10% (on average) of all new energy resources required to meet incremental growth will be from green energy sources. For IPPs to contribute in achieving this goal, green standards were developed so that BC Hydro can acquire energy from new, high quality projects.
Because of varying views on green criteria at provincial, federal and international levels, BC Hydro's green criteria incorporate the conservative view wherever differences are apparent. Several green criteria sources were used to develop the criteria, such as:
- Pembina Institute for Appropriate Development (www.pembina.org);
- Environmental Choice Program (“EcoLogo”) (www.environmentalchoice.com);
- Green-e Renewable Electricity Certification Program (www.green-e.org); and
- Scientific Certification Systems (www.scscertified.com)
Thus, projects that satisfy BC Hydro's green criteria will most likely satisfy any other standard for green power anywhere in the world.
The four main objectives of BC Hydro's green criteria are as follows:
- Renewable: Energy must come from naturally replenishing processes. For example water is a renewable energy source, whereas thermal (coal burning) is not.
- Low-Environmental Impact: The project must avoid an unacceptable level of environmental impacts. Fish populations, endangered species and air quality must not be damaged.
- Socially Responsible: The energy produced must not conflict with key community and First Nation's values.
- Licensable: The project must meet all relevant regulations and standards.
