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Emerging industries connections

Emerging industries connections notices

This is the call out box for Bill 31 and emerging industries.

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The 2026 Call for Demand for Emerging Industries (AI/Data centres) intake is now closed
Description

The 2026 Call for Demand intake is now closed. We had a strong response from AI and data centres looking to connect to our grid.

We received 15 applications representing close to 800 megawatts (MW) in total load request. Applicants moving to the next stage have been notified.

BC Hydro is currently reviewing applications and expects to notify successful applicants by mid-September 2026.

Please check back for updates and subscribe below to receive email updates.

About the electricity allocation framework

We're seeing unprecedented growth in interconnection requests from large industrial customers. This has prompted the Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions to reassess how B.C.'s clean electricity resources are managed to ensure reliability and affordability, as well as to support broader electrification goals. Emerging sectors, including artificial intelligence (AI) and data centres, are driving a substantial increase in electricity demand and present both opportunities and challenges.

To maximize the benefits that these emerging sectors can provide to the province, we worked with the Province of B.C. to develop a framework to determine how to allocate our clean electricity resources to this sector. The Province of B.C. undertook an engagement process on the legislation and regulations as the electricity allocation framework was being drafted. Read the report [PDF] to learn more.

To ensure clean electricity is directed to projects that generate the greatest value for people and communities in B.C., the Province of B.C. has established a transparent, competitive allocation process enabled by Bill 31 and the subsequent regulations.

This process does not apply to any other industrial sector requesting service, including mining, oil and gas, LNG, forestry, hydrogen for domestic use, or manufacturing.
 

The 2026 Call for Demand for Emerging Industries

How it works

  1. Application: The 2026 Call for Demand for Emerging Industries is now closed. Through the 2026 Call for Demand, current and potential industrial customers submitted an Application to be considered for interconnection.

  2. Pass/Fail review: BC Hydro reviewed the applications and provided a pass/fail to the applicant.

  3. Feasibility Study: upon receiving a pass, shortlisted applicants provided a non-refundable feasibility study fee and completed the feasibility study form. BC Hydro completed the feasibility study, and returns it to the applicant.

  4. Supplemental Application: upon receiving the feasibility study results, applicant will have a final opportunity to revise their bid price and level of curtailment before their application undergoes a full evaluation and review.

  5. Notification of results: applicants will be notified of the results.

Important dates

The following includes key dates for the 2026 Call for Demand for Emerging Industries. All dates are subject to change.
 

DateMilestone
January 30, 2026Call for Demand (CFD) announced

How your project may be impacted [PDF, 97 KB]
 
February 9Information Session(s).

See presentation [PDF, 1.1 MB]
 
March 9Initial Applications and Bid Security (electronic copy) submitted to BC Hydro

**Failure to meet this date results in ineligibility to participate in the CFD.
March 16Physical delivery of Bid Security (original copy)
 
March 23BC Hydro to notify those Applicants that have successfully satisfied Stage 1 – Minimum Requirements as per the provisions of Schedule 3
 
May 4Shortlisted Applicants to submit complete Feasibility Study Request Form and non-refundable fee.

**Failure to meet this date results in ineligibility to participate in the CFD.
August 11BC Hydro to deliver results of the completed interconnection feasibility studies to the Shortlisted Applicants
 
August 25Shortlisted Applicants who have received the results of a feasibility study to submit Supplemental Applications to BC Hydro

**Failure to meet this date results in ineligibility to participate in the CFD.
September 1Deadline to withdraw from CFD without forfeiting Bid Security (Application Withdrawal Deadline)
 
Mid-September 2026Notify Applicants of the outcome of the CFD
 

*Items in italics are BC Hydro's target deliverable dates and subject to change.
 

Documents

Details on the connections selection process and other key documents related to the 2026 Call for Demand for Emerging Industries are available online.

Supporting links

FAQs and information meetings

Please email us with questions about the 2026 Call for Demand for Emerging Industries, the electricity allocation framework, or related documents issued during the 2026 process.

View questions and answers
 

Stay informed

Please fill out the form below to register.

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The personal information collected in this form are for the purpose of staying informed regarding Emerging Industries connections by BC Hydro. The information provided in this form may be stored outside of Canada. The information is collected under the authority of Section 26(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act for B.C. If you have any questions concerning how your personal information is handled, please contact emerging.industries@bchydro.com.