Cost effective and reliableA person asked me how will the project be competitive with lower cost onshore wind. Not an expert, but these from the company's website:
Cost-Effective
Significant improvements in technology have resulted in a substantial reduction in the cost of power from the project. With power production 97 percent of the time, a gross capacity factor of greater than 60%, and with many years of wind data showing 10 metres per second average wind speed, the project is poised to be a cost-effective and reliable addition to the province’s electricity system.
The wind is the strongest and most consistent in the fall and winter when electricity demand in BC is the highest. Other characteristics that make Hecate Strait an ideal location for offshore wind projects include its flat sedimentary seabed, relatively shallow waters, access to BC Hydro’s power grid, and its proximity to the increasing electricity demand in northern British Columbia.
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60%+ capacity factor, high power production of 97%, proof over 15 years of data, which onshore sites don't come close to. The average wind speed also enters into the calculation. Easy access to the BC Hydro grid will save costs. Whereas with onshore wind, maybe many km of transmission lines would be required. Credits for more power production in winter when demand is highest would earn consideration. Larger wind turbines now available 18MW, whereas onshore much smaller and will require many more, thus increasing the total cost.
Name plate capacity, say 100MW, is not the important number, but in how many kw hours of electricity can be produced during the year. It's this number which is important for BC Hydro and the reliable delivery of such.
Add in the talk about green hydrogen production, etc, the region would be well served by the proximity of the project. By the time a new transmission line is built into the region, will take years. But what about power requirements in the meantime?
Looks like assembling a bid proposal will be a task in itself. First, a major developer has to be found who will responsibly take on the project and stay for the long-term. Bringing a project on budget and on time is critical. Capacity to reduce ongoing maintenace costs will be important as offshore is more costly than onshore.
First Nation involvement important. Dialogue leads to understanding. These projects are long-term in nature. Equity participation, environmental and cultural considerations, long-term economic development beyond the project itself. And by August 1, 2024, the bids must be submiltted. Busy days ahead.