B.C. Hydro Increases Power Exports

Fri., June 20, 1997

Associated Press

B.C. Hydro earned a near-record $163.6 million (Canadian) from exporting electricity, primarily to the United States, for the fiscal year ended March 31, the government corporation said Wednesday.

A new initiative that will open its transmission system to U.S. competitors in exchange for easier access by Hydro to American markets could increase exports in the coming years.

The 1997 export total represents a large increase over 1996, when Hydro exported a total of $51 million in electricity.

The $112.6 million increase was primarily due to Hydro spilling massive amounts of water from Williston reservoir during the year.

The export performance was the best since 1993, when Hydro sold $172 million to out-of-province customers.

Hydro said it will apply to the B.C. Utilities Commission this week to revise its transmission system tariffs, which effectively will open up its transmission system to U.S. utilities at the wholesale level.

Spokesman Shawn Thomas said Hydro is making the move in preparation for a revised application to U.S. regulators, in which it is seeking wider access to American electricity markets.

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B.C. Hydro Increases Power Exports

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