Post by
BayWall on Aug 25, 2024 4:02pm
The solution then?
In the article by Richard McCandless, no solution was offered. If wind remains a question mark because of its possible cost and reliability, then what?
Would not want to see Powerex import electricity which could be from fossil based sources and expensive. I think in the past could have imported wind electricity when suppliers had a surplus and therefore realize cheaper rates.
But now that luxury could be gone. If wind stops blowing in BC, Hydro will have to pay expensive spot prices.
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The Hecate Strait offshore wind project is advocating scale size. I don't know where any electricity produced will end up, but a chance it could be fed into the grid. Also the fact that there is surplus outgoing capacity in the current transmission line to Prince George allows for large scale power to go to rest of the province.
Whether another mega dam will ever by built in BC is uncertain; and the time to complete and expensive cost.....
So what is left? Import electricity 24/7 and money leaves the province. Support offshore wind size and money stays in the province helping communities.
Nobody ventured to guess what would be the cost of the Hecate offshore project if onshore wind would be already well into the billions as Richard estimates. And if many billions are required, how long will potential development companies like Innergex, Powerex, Boralex, Pattern Energy take on large debt building the wind turbines power call after power call?
And the price of electricity has to be competitive and affordable?
Interesting times ahead. Oceanic will continue to put forth its case to be considered for a scale size offshore project.
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Like Richard McCandless states in his commentary, future demand estimates by BC Hydro doesn't include new LNG nor green hydrogen/ammonia projects. Don't mind using imported electricity for backup to wind, but not as a mainstay supply.
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Oceanic's 3Q financials and commentary should be out this week.