B.C. says AI and data centre projects must compete for power in new selection process
British Columbia's government is launching a competitive selection process for artificial intelligence and data centre projects that would see companies fight over a set amount of power.
B.C. Energy Minister Adrian Dix said companies that apply could gain access to a total of 400 megawatts of electricity over a two-year period.
"The new approach (prioritizes projects) that support long-term economic, environmental, community and data sovereignty benefits," Dix told a news conference Friday.
He added the requirement does not apply to traditional industries like liquefied natural gas, forestry or mining.
The selection process will allow the government to manage high demand for electricity by limiting the power certain industries can access, he said.
Dix said the announcement is in response to climbing electricity rates in certain U.S. states, which some experts attribute to the power demand from new and planned data centres.
A competitive process awarding companies that offer the most economic and environmental benefits is the right path forward, Dix said.
"That shows that we've learned from other jurisdictions that have had an extremely negative economic effect," he said.
West End Substation project - May 2026 Update, Timeline, & Consultation Events
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What's new
May 2026
From May 19 to June 9, we’re sharing information about construction plans for the West End Substation project, including the timeline and methods, and what people might see and hear through construction.
It's interesting that they don't appear to have submitted a Development Application for the new building (yet). Presumably the City have been involved, and it's going to be more of a formality, but BC Hydro did get a DP for the Mount Pleasant substation when that was built a few years ago.
The West End Substation was just a development review. The application went in Sept 24, 2025 and consultation concluded around April this year so I think they have plenty of time to go through the same process?
BC Hydro also states in the Application that it plans to construct a new substation located in the Strathcona
neighbourhood of the City of Vancouver (East Vancouver Substation) to replace Murrin Substation. BC Hydro
states that the East Vancouver Substation is exempt from the requirement to have a CPCN pursuant to the
British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority Exemption Regulation and therefore BC Hydro will be relying on its
deemed CPCN for extensions under section 45 of the Utilities Commission Act for the construction and operation
of the East Vancouver Substation.2 Given these circumstances, the Panel considers it appropriate to direct that
the construction and operation of the East Vancouver Substation is outside of the scope of this proceeding.
The West End Substation was just a development review. The application went in Sept 24, 2025 and consultation concluded around April this year so I think they have plenty of time to go through the same process?
I guess there's a difference with the West End Substation being totally underground, and the replacement school that will be developed above it getting a DP. The East End substation is almost all above grade. But I think as a provincial agency BC Hydro can just build it, if they choose to do so.
BC Hydro begins substation expansion project for 50,000 more customers in Vancouver's Broadway Plan area
I am often reminded how fortunate I am to live in a well governed society where the infrastructure is both well built and well maintained. Almost everything we argue about on this forum are truly "first world problems". Objectively speaking, we're among the most privileged people on the planet.
Thanks to everyone who's had a hand in keeping our corner of the planet running smoothly!
The topic here is The Grandview Cut. At present, it provides a single railway line in and out of central Vancouver. /// Could it be expanded, / repurposed (in part, keeping the rail line) maybe an overlapping
connnector road from the west side of the city through from the main west side road through to the east where it could join Highway 1. Just an idea to consider.
The topic here is The Grandview Cut. At present, it provides a single railway line in and out of central Vancouver. /// Could it be expanded, / repurposed (in part, keeping the rail line) maybe an overlapping
connnector road from the west side of the city through from the main west side road through to the east where it could join Highway 1. Just an idea to consider.
This idea was mooted in the 1980s as I recall. Nothing ever came of it.
The topic here is The Grandview Cut. At present, it provides a single railway line in and out of central Vancouver. /// Could it be expanded, / repurposed (in part, keeping the rail line) maybe an overlapping
connnector road from the west side of the city through from the main west side road through to the east where it could join Highway 1. Just an idea to consider.
There isn't just the rail track through the Grandview Cut any more (which is used by both freight and VIA and Amtrak passenger trains). Since the Millennium Line was built, that also occupies a space above the rail track through the Cut.
They should add a data centre to the project to really piss them off.
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Proposed substation in Vancouver's West End faces community opposition
Community advocates in the West End agree a substation is needed, but worry about its proposed location.
“B.C. Hydro has made a decision to build a massive industrial infrastructure project in the only local park for the interior of the West End — a park that services 20,000 people within a 10-minute walking distance,” said Carol Reardon, a member of an advocacy group called the Friends of Nelson Park.
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geez, I hope this is the right thread
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