Electricity resource planning

We look at trends in energy policy, market technologies, regional growth and customer demand to develop strategies that meet the energy needs of our customers now, and in the future. The Long Term Electric Resource Plan (LTERP) is our road map for securing safe, reliable and cost-effective energy resources to meet our customers’ energy needs. 

Long Term Electric Resource Plan:

  • looks ahead 20 years to identify energy supply requirements, infrastructure needs and opportunities to manage demand
  • examines the resource options available to FortisBC, including the amount of energy supply we can feasibly acquire through conservation and energy management programs
  • defines objectives to assess and evaluate the available resource options to determine the best overall outcome for our customers
  • provides an action plan for ensuring delivery of safe, reliable and cost-effective energy to our customers

Why does FortisBC develop an LTERP?

Developing a resource plan is required by the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) and it plays an important part in our overall strategic planning.

As demand for energy grows in the regions we serve, we need to evaluate all potential resources to deliver secure, reliable and cost-effective energy. These include:

  • electricity markets
  • long term contracts with suppliers like BC Hydro
  • conservation and energy management programs
  • wind, solar, hydro and other supply-side resource options

The LTERP outlines how we’ll meet our customers’ energy needs and how we’ll help them reduce their energy consumption and energy bills.

How does FortisBC develop the LTERP?

We develop the LTERP in consultation with our interested parties and in accordance with the BCUC’s resource planning guidelines. We conduct an in-depth, research-based examination of energy supply conditions, demand projections and resource acquisition alternatives that exist to provide safe, reliable and cost-effective energy to our customers. Specific components of the plan include:

  • a discussion of the policy and market environment
  • forecasts of our annual and peak demand over the next 20 years
  • a long term outlook on energy savings that can be achieved through conservation and energy management
  • recommendations for system reinforcements to meet anticipated annual increases in peak demand
  • load scenarios providing insight into various possible future customer load requirements
  • other planning activities to provide secure, reliable and cost-effective supply for customers over the long term
  • a short term action plan to identify the steps required to implement, acquire or construct the resources described in the LTERP

Resource planning and engaging with Indigenous communities and interested parties

Connecting with customers, communities, Indigenous communities and interested parties on long range planning issues is a priority for us. Interested parties include customers, associations, builders, developers, gas suppliers, gas marketers, government agencies, municipalities and other utilities. Our Statement of Indigenous Principles ensures our business operations are conducted with respect for Indigenous social, economic and cultural interests.

We plan a number of opportunities for interested parties' input into the LTERP:

  • The Resource Planning Advisory Group (RPAG) is a technical working group that engages members from municipalities, government, Indigenous communities, customer associations and environmental organizations in developing the LTERP. This group of energy industry experts, relevant government and Indigenous participants and other key interested parties regularly provides input on important energy issues during the long term resource planning process.
  • Community engagement workshops offer opportunities for feedback from interested parties on resource planning. Email [email protected] to be added to our mailing list for these community engagement workshops.

Learn more about recent engagement activities and our work on the next LTERP.

2021 Long Term Electric Resource Plan

We submitted the 2021 Long Term Resource Plan to the BCUC on August 4, 2021. After the regulatory review process in 2021 and 2022, the BCUC accepted the 2021 Long Term Electric Resource Plan as being in the public interest.  

We’re here to help

For more information about our LTERP, related resource planning and engagement activities with interested parties, please email [email protected].