Our guest speaker at our General meeting on January 5 was Karla Louwers. Karla is a Public Affairs Coordinator for BC Hydro in the Vancouver Island – Sunshine Coast Region. She joined BC Hydro in 2002.
For a selection of photos and content from Karla’s presentation, see the slideshow below. Highlights of her presentation included such information as;
- BC Hydro has 6 generating stations (dams) on Vancouver Island. For more details, follow this link: https://www.bchydro.com/energy-in-bc/operations/our-facilities/vancouver-island.html
- 3 of those generating stations are on the Campbell River.
- BC Hydro clearly recognizes the potential impacts of climate change on their existing generating capacity
- BC Hydro is in an energy surplus until 2030. Power may be imported from neighbours such as California at times of water shortage and/or to meet peak demand.
- The source of the electric power from California is expected to be from solar power as they have an excess of solar power when our demands are at their peak.
- BC Hydro intends to advertise for increased power from private sector suppliers from solar and wind projects to be available from 2030.
- Most major dams now generating power will be undergoing earthquake upgrades over the next several years to protect against major seismic events.
- BC Hydro does not anticipate building any new major hydroelectric dams in the foreseeable future.
- BC Hydro does not envisage nuclear power as a viable alternative at this time.
Prepared by,
Al MacDonald
Speaker Coordinator Team