Back when Site C got the go ahead, the government of BC also put a cap on how much power it would purchase from Independent Power Producers (IPPs). While they still purchased power from smaller projects under the Standing Offer Program (SOP), each project was limited to a maximum size of 15 MW.
In 2018, the SOP program was temporarily suspended as the province reviewed the process, after calls that power was being purchased at too high a price. The next year, BC Hydro took steps to lower costs and keep rates low, “including reducing the amount of future energy purchases from independent power producers,” according to the BC Hydro website. “Effective immediately, our Standing Offer and Micro Standing Offer Program are suspended indefinitely, and we will not accept new applications or award any new electricity purchase agreements.”
There were five First Nations led exceptions to that suspension, including two projects near Chetwynd: the Sukunka Wind Project led by Saulteau First Nations and Zonnebeke Wind, led by West Moberly First Nations which were completed in 2021.
And that’s how it stood until last year, when BC Hydro made its first large scale call for power in over 15 years. It was under these larger calls for power that the Quality Wind Project and Meikle Wind were built.
There were two Peace Region wind farms that had successful bids last year: the 200 MW Stewart Creek Wind Project near Fort St. John, which is a partnership proposal between Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. and West Moberly First Nations and the Taylor Wind Project, which is also 200 MW, and a partnership with EDF Renewables and Saulteau First Nations.
For this year’s call for power, Invenergy is proposing the Hourglass Wind Energy Centre. If it comes to fruition, it would be developed just off Highway 52, about 22 km east of Tumbler Ridge near the Hourglass Road..
In a letter dated to the Peace River Regional District (PRRD) October 9, company spokesperson Pamela Bishop-Byers alerts the PRRD to their upcoming submission to this year’s Call for Power.
“The Project represents a significant opportunity to increase electricity generation – delivering clean and affordable renewable energy into the region,” writes Bishop-Byers.
She says the project—which will feature between 32 and 45 turbines—will generate between 200-250MW of renewable electrical power.
“The Project location was picked due to the strong and reliable wind resource in the Peace Region and the site’s constructability.”
The submission deadline for this year’s Call For Power is January 5, 2026, and if successful, would be built over the next four years, though before that would happen, the project would need to get its environmental approval, as well as approval under the new Renewable Energy Projects act, which came into effect July 1 of this year.
This new act streamlines the approvals process for new renewable projects, “eliminating the need for cross-ministry and agency permitting by establishing the British Columba Energy Regulator (BCER) as the single window for regulatory oversight and Crown consultation in accordance with strict environmental standards,” says the organization’s website.
“Invenergy is committed to sharing information about its planned Project and working with interest holders to identify and address potential impacts,” says Bishop-Byers. “As part of this approach, we would like to understand your interests, concerns, and preferred engagement approach related to the RFP and the Project, as well as explore opportunities for collaboration.
Above photo: Looking over the potential location for the Hourglass Wind Energy Centre, with the existing Quality Wind Project in the distance. Photo from Invenergy website.
Trent is the publisher of Tumbler RidgeLines.
