The race beginsI think BC Hydro did an excellent job reaching out to all and have reviewed all comments/concerns. It was a long process. It's clear what is wanted and where. Some expressed concerns over the tight timeline (for this Power Call) to get a bid/proposal completed. (Sept 16th deadline). Environmental assessments and financing deals take time.
Don't know where, if possible, a current list of potential bidders can be obtained. Interest from both large and small companies last year attending info sessions with BC Hydro.
Metlakatla First Nation is familar with the offshore wind project.
Virtual Focus Group Session, Aug 16, 2023: Microsoft Teams, BC Hydro Representatives • Monique Stevenson • Chris Revell (Aug 1 and 9) • Bruce Chow • Alan Tan • Greg Schabas • Patrick Tomlinson.
In-person sessions:
July 24: Elemental Energy, Chinook Power Corp, KWL, Jim Dent Construction, Algonquin Power Systems Ltd.
July 27: 2 Sea Breeze Power Corp, MKI Energy Wind.
August 1: Metlakatla First Nation, Innergex Renewable Energy, Boralex, Invenergy, Sea to Sky Energy Solutions, Axium Infrastructure, Evolugen by Brookfield Renewable, Summit Power Management Inc.
August 9: Clean Energy BC, EDI Environmental Dynamics Inc., Potentia Renewables, Stantec, Recurrent Energy, Barkley Project Group, Capital Power, Dragonfly Hydro, Enfinite, First Nations Power Authority.
August 16: Natural Forces, EDF Renewables, Paper Excellence.
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The financial impact of a windfarm, may be small where big companies are involved. But for small companies like Oceanic, it's a company maker. Add in larger scale build out potential and community benefits rise over the years. I don't know how the 200MW project size limit will be addressed especially with expensive offshore facilities, other than with private offtake agreements. The issue of building anything in Hecate Strait was also raised in earlier years.