VANCOUVER, B.C. — BC Hydro is moving forward with British Columbia’s first utility-scale battery energy storage project, launching a competitive procurement process for a 100 MW battery facility near Duncan on Vancouver Island as electricity demand continues to grow across the province.
The project, expected to be operational by 2030, will provide at least 100 megawatts of flexible battery storage capacity, allowing electricity to be stored during periods of lower demand and discharged during peak demand. BC Hydro says the facility will strengthen grid reliability, improve system flexibility and maximize the use of existing transmission infrastructure.
The utility will issue a Request for Supplier Qualifications (RFSQ) on July 30, seeking experienced companies capable of designing and delivering the project. Qualified proponents will later be invited to participate in a Request for Proposals expected later this year.
BC Hydro plans to own and operate the battery storage system while leveraging private-sector expertise for design, construction and potentially long-term maintenance.
“As demand for electricity continues to grow throughout British Columbia, we are making strategic investments to continue to deliver reliable, affordable and clean power to homes and businesses,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions, describing the project as a key component of BC Hydro’s Powering Growth strategy.
BC Hydro President and CEO Charlotte Mitha said the project represents an important step in modernizing the provincial electricity system.
“As the first utility-scale battery storage project in B.C., it will allow us to use a new technology that can store electricity when it is available and deliver it back to the grid when customers need it most.”
Following an assessment of reliability, environmental and cost considerations, BC Hydro selected a site adjacent to its Vancouver Island Terminal Substation near Duncan, using utility-owned land to simplify integration with the existing grid while minimizing development impacts.
The project is the first battery storage initiative under BC Hydro’s Powering Growth plan, which identifies up to 500 MW of battery storage across British Columbia to improve reliability, increase grid flexibility and support growing peak electricity demand.
Industry groups welcomed the announcement, calling it a significant milestone for energy storage deployment in the province.
Stephen Rayner, executive director of Clean Energy BC, said the procurement creates new opportunities for local businesses and First Nations partnerships while supporting a more resilient electricity system.
Justin Rangooni, president and CEO of Energy Storage Canada, said the announcement demonstrates that battery storage has become “an essential part of building a reliable, flexible electricity system” capable of meeting growing demand while making better use of existing infrastructure.
Battery energy storage systems can respond within seconds to changing grid conditions, making them increasingly important as electrification, population growth and economic development drive higher electricity demand across Vancouver Island and the province.
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