Future Energy Supply

On the supply side there have recently been two important developments. Research has shown that the gas resource will be augmented by what is called “coal-bed-methane” (i.e., methane trapped in coal seams). Recent preliminary studies estimate hypothetical/inferred potential geological reserves as shown in the following table:

Source: “Energy Market Update,” vol. 4, no. 1, 1992, pp. 1-2. British Columbia Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Petroleum Resources, Victoria.

Much more information is required before these conditional reserves are confirmed, and two companies have been granted exploration licenses to start the process in the southeast corner of the province. In the electricity industry, the major development has been the emergence of a number of proposals by private companies to produce power for sale to both provincial and/or export markets.  These proposals involve both thermal and hydro plants, the former based on natural gas, wood wastes, and coal, and the latter on both medium and small rivers. The developers range form individuals, Native bands, and newly formed companies, to companies already in the energy business, and own-users such as pulp and paper companies. Wood waste based pants have already been approved for Williams Lakes and Howe sound, as have gas fired plants at Taylor and Castlegar. Many are under consideration by the Energy Project Review Process of the Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Petroleum Resources and, now that long-term electricity exports are approved in principal, a number will probably be built.