B.C.’s economy has grown at an average rate of 3.4 per cent since 2001, above the national average (Source: Statistics Canada). And B.C.’s population is expected to grow by 54,400 people every year after 2006, increasing our projected population to about 5,400,000 residents by 2026 (Source: BC Stats).
It takes power to drive this kind of growth, and today we're using more power than ever before -- 21 per cent more, in fact, than we did 15 years ago. Demand for electricity in B.C. is projected to grow up to 45 per cent in the next 20 years to meet the needs of our burgeoning economy and population (Sources: BC Hydro, Challenges and Choices).
BC Hydro is working with communities, businesses and people like you to promote energy conservation through their Power Smart program. BC Hydro is also filling the electricity gap through more resource options.
When we increase our capacity to generate electricity, we also need to improve the transmission infrastructure that delivers power to communities and businesses throughout B.C. As the Crown corporation responsible for B.C.’s high-voltage electricity highway, BCTC plays a vital role in meeting the increasing demand with our transmission solution.
For more facts about energy use and generation, please see, BC Hydro’s Quick Facts.