Site C is needed even with increased renewables
Sight to C!
Why is it so hard to see? The B.C. population, and therefore electric power, will surely increase over 10 per cent in 100 years, the life of a hydro dam.
Hydro power is by far the lowest cost, therefore providing the lowest electricity rates. Site C is a 10 per cent increase, 1,100 Megawatts added to existing 11,000 MW. Anyone interested can “discover” this in an hour or two of research. The NDP is obviously not interested or they would have figured this out five years ago. Instead, their objective was to “oppose government”, not do what is in the best interests for all B.C.ers. Then where is BC Hydro or the Public Utilities Commission?
Dependability is important. Solar produces NO power every night and many winter days. Wind, NO power when there is no wind, too little or too much. Both need 100 per cent back-up or NO power. For reliable back-up power, today’s choices are hydro or fossil fuels. Batteries can be charge only if EXTRA power is available, from a dependable power source. Why not just build the back-up? Seems easy to figure out! Don’t take too long either. One could even find that BC Hydro operating costs, at six cents per kwh with 92 per cent from hydro and they pay 12 cents/kwh for solar or wind, double.
One could even discover from renewable power advocates that B.C. already is provided with renewable power amounting to 14 per cent of consumption. So why has this not replaced Site C? Answer is, back-up required: Site C. We need people with vision, sight to see on Site C.
Bob Conibear
Duncan