Monday July 28, 2025 | VANCOUVER, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
BC Hydro’s third call for power was announced yesterday by Premier David Eby and Energy Minister Adrian Dix.
The first call for power was announced at the BC Legislature in April 2024. The second call for power was announced in May 2025 in Victoria.
BC’s calls for power are focussed on clean energy solutions including wind and solar as well as including First Nations in the work.
The goal is to acquire 5,000 gigawatt-hours from new, large, clean-energy projects – enough to power 500,000 homes as well as provide assurance of clean affordable electricity to major industrial projects.
A joint news release was issued by the Office of the Premier, Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions, and BC Hydro (see full news release below).
BC Hydro President and CEO Chris O’Riley is retiring this week after 35 years in the electricity sector. The new President and CEO Charlotte Mitha will start on August 1, 2025. Mitha has most recently been the Executive Vice-President of Operations at BC Hydro.
===== RELATED:
NEWS SECTIONS: BC HYDRO | ELECTRICITY & CLEAN ENERGY | 43rd BC PARLIAMENT
B.C. boosts clean-energy supply, drives economic growth
Office of the Premier, Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions, and BC Hydro | July 28, 2025
VANCOUVER – BC Hydro has launched a new call for power for 2025 to secure new sources of affordable, clean or renewable electricity that will support British Columbia’s expanding economy and create thousands of skilled jobs.
“B.C. will be the economic engine of Canada’s new economy, and that engine will be powered by abundant clean electricity,” said Premier David Eby. “By boosting our clean-energy supply in partnership with First Nations, we are supporting growing communities and industries while creating thousands of good-paying jobs and making life more affordable. This is just one way we are securing our future in the face of escalating threats from President Trump.”
As part of the 2025 call for power, BC Hydro has issued a request for proposals (RFP) to acquire up to 5,000 gigawatt-hours annually of electricity from large, clean or renewable projects in partnership with First Nations and independent power producers. This is the equivalent of powering 500,000 homes in British Columbia.
In 2024, BC Hydro completed its first call for power in 15 years, which resulted in 10 new renewable-energy projects with First Nations asset ownership between 49% and 51%. These projects are expected to generate up to $6 billion in private investment, with up to $3 billion under First Nations ownership, and create approximately 2,000 jobs annually during construction. The projects will also deliver power at prices 40% lower than BC Hydro’s last clean-power process in 2010, after adjusting for inflation.
The 2025 call for power represents the next phase of B.C.’s renewable-energy expansion strategy – deepening First Nations partnerships, unlocking investment and accelerating progress toward the province’s economic and climate goals.
“This is our moment to build the clean-energy future British Columbians deserve,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions. “We’re doubling down on renewable power, expanding our grid and supporting First Nations leadership in energy development, all while helping communities and businesses access the clean electricity they need to grow.”
The RFP eligibility requirements include:
- generate clean or renewable energy;
- have capacity greater or equal to 40 megawatts;
- have a minimum of 25% equity ownership held by First Nations; and
- be operational by Oct. 1, 2033.
BC Hydro plans to award electricity purchase agreements to selected projects in early 2026.
“Through collaboration with government, First Nations and the clean-energy sector, BC Hydro is making significant investments and seeking new partnerships to secure B.C.’s clean-energy future,” said Chris O’Riley, president and CEO, BC Hydro. “This call for power is a key step in expanding our electricity system to meet growing demand while ensuring security, sustainability and affordability.”
The 2025 call for power is part of the Clean Power Action Plan, which aims to boost grid resilience, expand grid capacity and support B.C.’s transition to a clean economy.
BC Hydro will issue calls for power every two years, alongside delivering $36 billion in infrastructure investments through its 10-year capital plan, enhancing grid reliability and supporting growth in every region of the province.
Quick Facts:
- When the Site C hydroelectric dam comes into full operation in 2025, it will generate enough electricity for 500,000 homes and increase BC Hydro’s total supply by 8%.
- BC Hydro is investing more than $700 million over the next three years in energy-efficiency tools, technology and programs, which is expected to result in 2,000 gigawatt-hours per year of electricity savings, or enough to power 200,000 homes.