Developers move ahead with projects
By _Keith McNeill - Clearwater Times_
Published: August 10, 2009 5:00 AM
Run-of-the-river hydro projects have become a hot issue in this province
but three such projects north of Blue River are still going ahead.
According to Canadian Hydro Developers Inc. of Calgary, the proposed Bone
Creek (20 MW), Clemina Creek (9.9 MW) and Serpentine Creek (9.5 MW)
hydroelectric projects together would generate enough to power 21,000 homes if
the homes didn't mind receiving power service only in the spring and early
summer, followed by intermittent, weather-precipitatiintermittent,
weather-precipitation-and runoff-dependent service for the remainder of the yea
“We are currently proceeding with the Blue River projects, with a
construction work focus presently on Bone Creek,” said Kelly Matheson, manager of
environmental affairs with Canadian Hydro. “It is my understanding that this
past week construction work was temporarily halted due to forest closures
related to wildfire risk.”
“Canadian Hydro is very aware of the dialogue in B.C. regarding
run-of-river hydroelectric power and independent power producers,” she said. “This
ongoing discussion is important, however it is not a factor in the
construction planning for our Blue River area projects.”
It appears that a recent decision by B.C. Utilities commission against B.C.
Hydro’s plan to purchase electricity from independent power producers
(IPPs) rather than produce it itself will have no affect on the three projects.
“The Blue River projects were awarded contracts under the 2006 B.C. Hydro
Call for Tenders,” said Matheson. “While the BCUC’s recent decision may or
may not affect the 2008 Clean Power Call, under which no contracts have
formally been awarded to date, we do not expect it to affect contracts awarded
under the 2006 CFT.”
The company spokesperson noted that Canadian Hydro has been operating in
B.C. for over 20 years. In addition to the construction projects near Blue
River it has three operating hydro facilities in the province.
“We take our commitment to develop low impact, renewable power very
seriously,” said Matheson. “We have been conducting environmental studies and
stakeholder consultation related to these projects since 2003, and they have
each been through lengthy and rigorous environmental assessment processes.
Canadian Hydro has an excellent construction and operational record in B.C.
and at our other low-impact hydroelectric facilities across Canada.
During the wildfires of 2003 the main transmission line up the North
Thompson Valley was cut, leaving local residents without power for up to two
weeks or more. Some have suggested that the proposed plants could serve as
alternate power sources for the valley if the power-line is cut again.
“Unfortunately this question falls outside my area of expertise and I am
not able to provide a definitive answer for you, “said the Canadian Hydro
spokesperson. “What I can tell you is that, should a similar kind of event to
the one that occurred in 2003 happen again, the ability of the Bone,
Clemina, and Serpentine projects to provide power to homes and businesses in the
valley would be dependent in part on whether or not they are operating
(which they should be during the summer months as there is sufficient flow in
the creeks) and in part on how the projects are interconnected into the
transmission grid. Transmission infrastructure and interconnection of IPPs
(independent power producers) is at the discretion of B.C. Hydro and the B.C.
Transmission Corporation.”
Canadian Hydro and Simpcw First Nation celebrated an ongoing working
relationship and construction kickoff in late April of last year. Anticipated
capital cost of the projects was $90 million, with completion expected by the
fourth quarter of 2009.
According to Wikipedia, Canadian Hydro Developers operates 12 hydroelectric
sites, four wind power sites and one biomass energy site in Alberta, B.C.
and Ontario. Two of the operational B.C. sites are near Revelstoke while
the third is near Squamish.
TransAlta Corporation, a power generating company that uses mainly coal
and natural gas, recently announced a hostile takeover bid for Canadian Hydro.
(http://www.bclocalnews.com/bc_thompson_nicola/clearwatertimes/business/m...
t=Clearwater Times - Developers move ahead with projects)
