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On July 27, 2006, BC Hydro awarded 38 contracts to independent power producers (IPPs) throughout the province with almost 50% being awarded to run-of-river power producers. In their press release, BC Hydro stated that the “38 new projects, once developed, will help to meet B.C.'s growing demand for electricity by adding more than 7,000 gigawatt hours per year to BC Hydro's system – enough power to meet the needs of over 700,000 homes”. The company's Clean Power Call emphasizes that BC Hydro will “ensure that the province has sufficient clean electricity to meet its electricity needs”

The B.C. Provincial Government has responded to the demand for energy by setting a favorable policy environment for renewable energy resources such as run-of-river power through its Energy Plan and Climate Change Plan. The BC Energy Plan is a “Vision for Clean Energy Leadership” that aims to reach electricity self-sufficiency for the province by 2016 and outlines a key role Independent Power Producers (IPP's) in meeting this goal of being self-sufficient and green.

The BC Climate Change Plan also emphasizes clean energy production as a means of meeting its targets. The Climate Change Plan has committed British Columbians to cutting greenhouse gas emissions to 33% below current levels by 2020 and further states that all new electricity generation projects in B.C. will have zero net greenhouse gas emissions.

These policy directives and BC Hydro's Clean Power Call provide an opportunity for run-of-river power producers. Small hydropower projects are ideal because they are renewable sources of clean energy and there are no technical barriers to development. See our Resources page for more information.