Re: Province should build natural gas power plant instead of Site C, August 10, 2012
A recent column on the cost of energy in B.C. ignored key considerations when comparing natural gas to the Site C Clean Energy Project.
The writers only considered the capital cost of the natural gas plant, and not its lifetime operating cost. This is important since most of the life-cycle costs for Site C are up-front capital costs followed by low operating costs over the long life of the dam. A natural gas plant is the opposite, with most of its costs being incurred over the operating life of the facility.
According to BC Hydro's draft Integrated Resource Plan, both the Site C project and natural gas are cost-effective resource options. It is worth pointing out that Site C would provide long-term price stability, while the market price of natural gas fluctuates over time.
Finally, studies have found that Site C would produce among the lowest levels of greenhouse gas emissions, per gigawatt hour, when compared to other electricity generation options; far outperforming all fossil fuels.
The proposed Site C project would be a source of clean, reliable and cost-effective electricity for more than 100 years.
To learn more, please visit bchydro.com/sitec.
Dave Conway
Community Relations Manager, Site C
BC Hydro
