Request for Expressions of Interest for new power 

FortisBC Inc. is issuing a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEOI) to identify potential electricity-generating projects both within and outside our electricity service area that would help meet growing electricity needs in British Columbia’s Southern Interior.

Meeting the growing demand for electricity

FortisBC owns four hydroelectric generating plants on the Kootenay River which allow our customers to receive approximately 1,609 gigawatt hours (GWh) of energy supply annually. We meet the remainder of our customers’ energy requirements by purchasing electricity through contracts with BC Hydro, other producers within the province and on the wholesale market.

To meet B.C.’s rising energy needs, we’re aiming to add up to 1,100 GWh of energy supply as soon as 2030. This RFEOI marks the initial step in identifying projects to address the growing demand for electricity.

What we’re looking for

We’re looking for electricity generation providers with experience building in Canada and with a focus on developing renewable and lower-carbon sources as outlined by the provincial government, including:

• biomass
• biogas
• hydroelectricity
• solar
• wind
• geothermal projects
• or any other resource prescribed under the Clean Energy Act

We’re most interested in new or existing projects that:

• have a minimum size of 5 megawatts (MW)
• are located in B.C., but not necessarily in the FortisBC service territory
• reflect a range of long-term supply options, including firm and non-firm capacity and energy
• are innovative and may be capable of providing value-added products, services or other attributes to FortisBC
• are Indigenous-led or have a strong Indigenous equity component

In addition to information about the projects themselves, we’re seeking an understanding of any engagement that respondents have had with Indigenous groups and local communities in the vicinity of, or affected by, their projects. We also want to know if respondents have been working with Indigenous communities on the development of their projects and whether they plan to share in potential benefits arising from the projects.

As part of this process, we’re engaging with energy providers, municipalities, Indigenous communities and other interested parties.

Important dates

RFEOI responses will be accepted between September 10 and November 26, 2024. We have extended the response deadline to allow additional time for preparing responses. Please make submissions at your earliest convenience. We expect the RFEOI process to follow the schedule below:

RFEOI responses 

Review the documents below which include additional information about the RFEOI and our electric transmission system:

• RFEOI document
• Electric transmission system map
• RFEOI questions and answers

Response documents 

• Appendix A: Respondent information sheet
• Appendix B: Questions for respondents

Complete the documents above and send your response to [email protected] on or before November 26, 2024.

Questions? 

Ask your questions about the RFEOI process by emailing us at [email protected].