BC Hydro acquires Island Generation gas plant on Vancouver Island

BC Hydro has purchased the 275‑megawatt Island Generation natural‑gas power plant in Campbell River on Vancouver Island. The deal was announced by British Columbia’s Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions Adrian Dix, with BC Hydro senior vice‑president AJ Kumar and Campbell River Mayor Kermit Dahl in attendance. The facility, which has operated about 15 days a year under a long‑term electricity purchase agreement since 2002, provides dispatchable backup capacity during peak demand. It represents roughly 2 % of BC Hydro’s generation mix, which is about 98 % clean or renewable. The province expects a 20 % rise in electricity demand over the next four years and sees the acquisition as a way to secure reliability for growing residential, industrial and electrification needs, while continuing to expand wind, solar and a planned 100‑megawatt battery storage project near Duncan. The plant was previously owned by Capital Power, and the purchase price was not disclosed. “This is a positive day for Campbell River, for Vancouver Island and the province,” said Mayor Dahl. “Securing Island Generation will help ensure we have capacity to support that growth,” said Minister Dix.