Bill 14: Solar Power is Amping Up in BC
Anahim Lake in BC is set to receive a 3.8-megawatt solar farm that is a collaboration between the Ulkatcho First Nations, the BC government, and the federal government. This project will officially be Canada’s largest ever off-grid solar project, as it is expected to cut down diesel reliance on electricity generation by 64 percent, equal to a reduction of 1.1 million litres per year, which the local community primarily uses.
While the project has been in development for some time, it has been hastened recently with the passing of Bill 14, which received significant pushback from other First Nations and environmental groups.
The Bill promises to fast-track renewable energy projects in the province by hastening or overriding regulatory processes, in tandem with Bill 15, which is intent on accelerating the development of public-sector projects to the same degree.
These bills have led to debate in BC on the power of local governments versus the reach of the provincial government, and the overall separation of power.
What’s Next?
The program has received collective funds of nearly $17 million from the federal government, with almost $5 million of it being committed recently on June 11.
The project's overall investment is over $20 million, with additional funding from the Ulkatcho First Nation government, provincial government, and government-funded programs like the Community Energy Diesel Reduction and BC Indigenous Clean Energy Initiative.
BC Hydro has agreed to a community purchase agreement with the Ulkatcho government through the Ulkatch Energy Corporation, with BC Hydro purchasing solar energy produced from the farm.
Natural Resources Canada has stated that this project “is how Canada becomes a clean energy superpower — by working with Indigenous partners, reducing emissions, and investing in nation-building infrastructure that delivers economic and environmental results.”
The Canadian Renewable Energy Association told PV Magazine that Canada's solar energy capacity has grown by 92 percent since 2019. Canada’s cumulative installed photovoltaic (PV) capacity as of 2024 is five gigawatts or 5,000,000 kilowatts.
