The answer to why BC Hydro can't develop the green energy projects British Columbia needs boils down to the the financial risk involved.  Green energy project proposals have a very high rate of attrition, and out of several hundred run-of-river project proposals since 1990 only a few dozen have ever been built. 

Green energy projects are subject to strict environmental scrutiny with more than 50 approvals, permits, licenses and reviews needed from 14 government regulatory bodies before they can proceed. In some cases millions of dollars were spent on environmental and engineering studies before a proposal folded. A publicly owned utility like BC Hydro can’t risk that kind of ratepayer and taxpayer money.

The cancellation of BC Hydro’s Duke Point power scheme is a prime example of the kind of risk involved in energy projects. The proposed $280-million natural gas-fired plant was scrapped in June 2005 amid widespread public opposition after 10 years of study and $120 million in expenses.  And BC Hydro ratepayers and British Columbia taxpayers had to absorb that $120 million loss.

Green energy projects also call for a wide range of expertise that BC Hydro doesn’t have. BC Hydro’s expertise is building and maintaining 1960s-style mega dams.

BC Hydro also lacks the flexibility to juggle a number of relatively small projects at the same time.  Each green energy project proposal involves a lengthy process of feasibility studies, environmental reviews and consultations with First Nations and local communities.  The process takes years to complete and most applications never make it through the process.

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