BC Hydro

BC Hydro is a public utility that is the major provider of electricity in British Columbia, Canada.

Related Topics:
Electricity - British Columbia - Canada

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It is the successor to BC Electric, which the provincial government took over in 1961. Until recently, it was operated as a vertically-integrated government-run monopoly comprised of electricity generation, transmission and distribution capacities. It has been subjected to changes in recent years by the conservative BC Liberal Party government. Back-office functions of BC Hydro, such as accounting and customer care, have been contracted out to Bermuda-based Accenture. BC Hydro has been forbidden to develop any new generation capacity: instead it must now purchase all additional energy it requires from private-sector "Independent Power Producers". The transmission component has also been spun off and is now managed by a new and separate crown corporation, the BC Transmission Corporation (BCTC). The company's existing power generation and distribution equipment remains public.

Related Topics:
BC Electric - 1961 - Vertically-integrated - Electricity generation - Transmission - Distribution - BC Liberal Party - Accenture - Crown corporation - BC Transmission Corporation

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BC Hydro (as suggested by its name) produces the majority of its electricity through a series of hydroelectric dams on the upper Columbia River. The construction of some of these dams resulted in many lakes greater than 100 km in length, which can be seen on maps of British Columbia or in satellite photography. The lakes, which flooded sparsely inhabited areas are now popular summer vacation destinations.

Related Topics:
Hydroelectric dam - Columbia River - British Columbia - Satellite

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