MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR..... 1 A CLEAN ENERGY VISION FOR BRITISH COLUMBIA: POWERING RECONCILIATION AND ECONOMIC GROWTH 2 WHY THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN WRITTEN 4
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS..... 5
INTRODUCTION TO CLEAN ENERGY ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA..... 3 A DEEPER DIVE ECONOMIC RECONCILIATION & THE CLEAN ENERGY SECTOR..... 14
CONCLUSION..... 19
BECOME A MEMBER 20
PHOTO CAPTIONS AND CREDITS..... 21
As a member of the Hupačasath First Nation, the principles of hišimłuwa (working together as a group) and ʔiisaak (respect) guide me every day. On our collective journey towards reconciliation, I understand that economic reconciliation is an evolving path. It is an ongoing commitment to honour the past, restoring balance, and building a shared future. First Nations have been stewards of these lands in which we live, work and play since time immemorial. Our relationship with the land is deeply rooted in respect and reciprocity.
I believe that First Nation leadership in the clean energy sector is a natural extension of this stewardship and connection. Clean energy projects offer an opportunity to engage in reciprocity with the land, ensuring we harness resources in a way that honours ecological balance, guided by the Nations in which each project is located, based on their unique values. This aligns with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which emphasizes free, prior, and informed consent, the protection of Indigenous rights, the participation of Indigenous peoples in decision-making processes, and the pursuit of economic and social development according to their own values and aspirations. It also supports the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action, urging inclusion of Indigenous voices in economic and policy decisions and the need for a more just and equitable society.
MESSAGE
The 2024 Call for Power by BC Hydro marks a significant milestone in our journey With a minimum requirement of 25% First Nations equity in new projects, BC Hydro is demonstrating a commitment to sourcing energy from First Nations and ensuring partnerships formed between Nations and industry can be equitable and transformative. These projects are not just economic opportunities; they are opportunities for self-determination and expressions of our deep connection to the land They empower communities to actively participate in the decision-making processes that shape our shared future Ownership is a tangible expression of self-determination, allowing us to safeguard our lands and resources while contributing to our collective clean energy goals They ensure Indigenous peoples have equitable access to jobs, training, and education opportunities to build prosperous futures within their own communities This supports the revitalization of so much that has been lost by supporting economic sovereignty
Economic reconciliation requires collaborative effort, where all parties recognize and respect –ʔiisaak – each other's contributions. For these initiatives to be truly transformative, they must involve genuine collaboration with all rightsholders and stakeholders. It demands that we work together –hišimłuwa – not just in developing projects but in shaping sustainable development. It demands involvement of communities in the planning, advocacy, and execution of these projects. The clean energy transition is not just a technical or economic shift; it is a societal one. For it to be successful, we must ensure that the public is informed, engaged, and supportive. Community involvement is critical to gain social license and to develop shared responsibility as we build a future where all communities thrive, and reconciliation becomes our reality.
To secure a clean energy future for B C , it is essential to establish a policy and regulatory framework that supports the transition to a low-carbon economy while ensuring equitable economic growth. CEBC offers the following recommendations, with an emphasis on strengthening Indigenous partnerships, increasing private sector investment, and enhancing regulatory efficiencies. These recommendations highlight the critical role of the Government of B C in facilitating collaboration among all rightsholders and stakeholders.
The Government of B.C. should prioritize issuing regular calls for energy generation and storage to stimulate investment and address the growing industrial, residential, and commercial energy needs of our province. In its first round of procurement in over a decade, BC Hydro received proposals totalling three times the energy being sought and selected 2,000 GWh/year more than originally targeted. This is a recognition of the need to bring significantly more clean energy generation online ahead of 2030 than initially planned under BC Hydro’s 2021 Integrated Resource Plan. Considering long project lead times and strong signals that demand for energy will continue to rise beyond 2030, the Government of B.C. should commit to calls for clean power generation and energy storage every one to two years.
To ensure First Nations benefit from the energy transition, BC Hydro should continue to require a minimum of 25% Indigenous equity for projects in each call for power Indigenous-led projects that are currently too small to compete under BC Hydro’s calls for power should be supported by expanding the B C Indigenous Clean Energy Initiative (BCICEI) to include medium-sized projects (up to 40 MW) Additionally, the BCICEI program start date should be moved up from 2028 to 2026, to avoid cost inflation and enable First Nations to begin project development as soon as possible
Renewable procurement timetables with quantified targets for each forthcoming call should be released as soon as possible. These proactive timetables would create a runway for investors, increasing certainty, minimizing project risks, and ensuring sufficient time to build meaningful partnerships with First Nations Overall, increased certainty would stimulate sustainable economic growth and increase grid capacity to meet surging demand
Many jurisdictions are also exploring corporate power purchase agreements (PPAs) to help meet the growing needs of industrial and commercial customers In parallel with BC Hydro’s future procurements, CEBC recommends that consultation on corporate PPA models that may be replicated in B.C. (e.g. Nova Scotia’s Green Choice Program) be initiated This consultation would explore how different corporate PPA models may stimulate investment, accelerate sustainable industrial growth, and ease the financial burden and risk shouldered by ratepayers
CEBC also strongly supports more transparent BC Hydro Electricity Purchase Agreement (EPA) renewals and new power procurements from other utilities such as FortisBC, to ensure a stable and sustainable supply of renewable energy across the province
The Government of B.C. must lead efforts to reform and streamline environmental assessment and permitting processes for clean energy projects A one-window approach where a single regulator manages and has the authority to administer all provincial permits and approval for renewable projects will help avoid unnecessary delays and accelerate emissions reductions This streamlined process should include:
Modernized and streamlined permitting – enabling low-impact clean energy projects to proceed through tailored permitting processes to ensure timely and affordable project delivery in alignment with climate and economic development goals
Guaranteed permitting timelines – providing clarity and consistency to project developers.
One-Window permitting under the BC Energy Regulator (BCER) –centralizing permits for clean energy projects under the BCER, which has authority to issue master permits for energy resource projects CEBC is encouraged that the Province intends to act on our recommendation to designate the BCER as the one-window regulator for all renewable energy projects CEBC was pleased to participate in this important announcement alongside the Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions, BCER, and BC Hydro, and looks forward to collaborating to support the drafting of enabling legislation
Tailored project scoping – avoiding “blanket” scoping that imposes undue requirements and costs
Streamlined project approval conditions – implementing lessons from previously approved projects to reduce unnecessary regulatory burden while maintaining environmental standards
Enhanced regulator training – improving staff expertise through rigorous training to minimize turnover, address limited experience with renewables, and ensure adherence to timelines.
Solar-specific guidelines and post-construction monitoring information
Indigenous-led project reviews – strengthening First Nations' leadership in projects affecting their lands and ensuring meaningful collaboration.
Future energy plans should prioritize an integrated approach to industrial and energy planning while emphasizing clean energy projects that deliver mutual benefits for Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities Developing a long-term, transparent plan for B C ’s industrial growth and electric grid, with clear commitments and targets, is key to attracting investment and driving sustainable growth
Economic reconciliation must be central to this plan, with a strong emphasis on First Nations' leadership in clean energy projects. CEBC advocates for the establishment of a First Nations Power Authority model in B C to enhance Indigenous participation in the development of integrated industrial and energy plans, allowing communities to lead and benefit from clean energy projects This authority would help foster long-term economic growth through sustainable funding and capacity-building initiatives, ensuring First Nations are key beneficiaries of B.C.'s clean energy planning and implementation efforts
The Government of B.C. must synchronize land-use planning with electric and gas resource planning, in partnership with First Nations, to ensure the successful integration of renewable energy into B.C.'s energy mix. Regular updates on regional transmission capacity and demand forecasts are crucial to providing certainty for developers and investors. Aligning early project permitting processes with BC Hydro’s procurement timelines and grid capacity will also be a key step towards increasing overall transparency and efficiency.
Proactive, integrated planning between electric and gas utilities, in alignment with First Nations priorities, will ensure that project siting is efficient, cost-effective, and respectful of Indigenous rights Clear planning processes are essential to support electrification and energy diversity, focusing on B C 's abundant clean energy resources and economic reconciliation
The Government of B C must prioritize the expansion and refinement of the First Nations Equity Financing Framework, which is crucial for enabling Indigenous participation and equity ownership in clean energy projects Considering the uncertain future of the Canada Infrastructure Bank, provincial leadership in facilitating Indigenous access to low-cost financing for projects from the 2024 Call for Power and future procurements is more important than ever By rapidly growing the provincial Indigenous loan guarantee program and ensuring that clean and low-carbon projects are prioritized for early access to funding, the Government of B C can help developers meet Indigenous equity requirements
This approach would guarantee that First Nations can actively engage in and benefit from the clean energy transition. Ongoing formal collaboration and engagement processes between the Government of B.C., First Nations, and industry are essential to refining the First Nations Equity Financing Framework and ensuring it meets the evolving needs of First Nations while supporting the broader growth of B.C.'s clean energy sector.
Municipalities must be adequately supported by the Government of B.C. with clear guidance and increased ease of access to financial tools, such as grants, incentives, and loan guarantee programs, to drive local clean energy investments. These tools are essential for bolstering local social licence for clean energy projects, lowering energy costs, improving air quality, and fostering economic growth.
By providing accessible financial resources and guidance, the Government of B.C. can enable municipalities to take a leadership role in advancing clean energy projects that support energy security and environmental goals within their communities The Government of B C ’s ongoing support is required to ensure municipalities facing significant capacity constraints can meaningfully contribute to B C ’s clean energy transition
Supporting First Nations' participation ensures that Indigenous peoples are both participants and key beneficiaries in B.C.'s clean energy transition. In April 2024, BC Hydro's first call for power in over 15 years mandated a minimum 25% Indigenous equity in new projects – an important milestone in achieving these goals. First Nations' ownership allows communities to directly benefit from revenues, job creation, and capacity building. Eight of the ten selected projects from BC Hydro’s 2024 Call for Power will have 51% Indigenous ownership, with two having almost 50%. This represents $2.5 billion to $3 billion in Indigenous equity – a transformative milestone that will set a precedent for future Indigenous investment in major projects in B.C. and across Canada.
CEBC supports the expansion of proactive measures, such as the First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund and First Nations Equity Financing Framework, to support continued transformative Indigenous participation and ownership. Strengthening partnerships between First Nations and industry fosters collaboration that respects Indigenous rights and cultures, furthering economic reconciliation.
True economic reconciliation requires cooperation at all levels CEBC remains committed to advocating for Indigenous-led and partnered projects as part of B C 's broader clean energy transition.
The clean energy sector is a major driver of economic growth in B C Investing in clean energy infrastructure creates thousands of high-quality jobs annually, reduces dependence on fossil fuels, and attracts investment in other sectors, helping to position B.C. as a leader in the global low-carbon economy. B.C.’s clean energy companies excel in forging partnerships with First Nations and municipalities that advance community-led projects and capacity building, fostering long-term, sustainable growth and benefits across B C
The development and construction of the ten new clean-energy projects selected from the 2024 Call for Power will generate between $5 billion and $6 billion in private capital spending throughout the province The direct and indirect positive impacts of these projects include local employment and contracting, investment in training and capacity-building programs, and significant rent and tax revenues. This Call for Power is expected to be the first of several rounds of clean energy procurement under the Province’s Powering our Future Clean Energy Strategy By acting on CEBC’s recommendations – including committing to calls for power every one to two years with proactive procurement targets – the Province can continue to attract private investment and bring tens of billions in private capital spending and spin-off benefits to British Columbians for decades to come
By taking the lead on the above recommendations, the Government of B.C. can secure a clean energy future that promotes economic reconciliation, sustainable growth, and prosperity for all. This critical work will only be successful if done in meaningful partnership with First Nations, municipalities, and industry Together, we can ensure that B C ’s abundant clean energy resources are harnessed to benefit both current and future generations. CEBC eagerly anticipates collaborating to advance our recommendations and power B.C.’s shared clean energy future.
Cover Page - Innergex, Dokie Wind Project
Pg. 2 - EDF Renewables, Massif-du-Sud Wind Project, Credit: Joan Sullivan
Pg. 4 - Boralex, Moose Lake Wind Project
Pg 11 - CEBC, BC Hydro, Province of British Columbia, BC Energy Regulator Announcement, Credit: Jack Magnus
Pg 17 - Capstone Infrastructure, Sechelt Hydro Project, Longhouse
Pg 21 - Capstone Infrastructure, Sechelt Hydro Project, Spawning Channel
Back Cover - BluEarth, Wheatcrest Solar Facility