BC Hydro is moving ahead with British Columbia’s first grid-scale battery energy storage project on Vancouver Island.
The utility has launched a request for supplier qualifications to identify experienced companies capable of designing and delivering the project. Submissions will be accepted until Sept. 16.
The project will be built near Duncan, adjacent to the Vancouver Island Terminal Substation.
Qualified respondents will be invited to participate in a competitive request for proposals later this year.
“This procurement process marks an exciting step forward for BC Hydro and for battery storage in British Columbia,” said Charlotte Mitha, president and CEO of BC Hydro. “We are inviting experienced suppliers to help deliver a project that will strengthen reliability on Vancouver Island and provide valuable flexibility for our entire electricity system. As demand for clean electricity continues to grow, battery storage will become an increasingly important tool to help us serve customers and get the most value from our existing infrastructure.”
The project will provide at least 100 megawatts of battery storage capacity on Vancouver Island to support reliability, increase system flexibility and help meet growing electricity demand.
BC Hydro said the project is part of its Powering Growth program, which aims to add up to 500 megawatts of battery storage capacity across the province.
