February 13, 2026
36. A quick clarifying question regarding the Schedule 4 project information form. Row 34 (Peak Demand) states that the maximum peak demand is 145MW. Is this expected to change via substation upgrades based on project POI after studies are complete and upgrades are determined? Or are we expected to submit multiple 145MW applications (in this case three applications) to reach the full 300MW AI & 100MW data storage capacity?
As outlined in Table 1 of the Call for Demand document, the size of the request must not be more than 145MW. An applicant may submit multiple applications for projects in different site, however the maximum request per site is 145MW. Up to 100MW and 300MW have been allocated to conventional data centre and storage data centre, respectively. All applicants will be considered within this allocation.
35. Further to my earlier email. During Monday's Q&A period I specifically asked if an existing site that had 50MW or more of existing power could be purchased and the existing power used for a data centre to be located on that site. I was immediately and emphatically told that "under no circumstances would that be allowed by BC Hydro." This statement completely contradicts the written information as highlighted below published on page 6 of your document entitled - 2026 BC Hydro Call for Demand for Emerging Industries–Request for Applications, Table 1: Eligibility Requirements for Projects Participating in the CFD.
If the existing site with 50MW is not a data centre and you are considering purchasing it to be used as a data centre for a load of 10MW or greater, it would be required to go through the Call for Demand. More information can be found on Table 1 of the Call for Demand.
34. Does project success in the Call for Demand guarantee the electric capacity from BC Hydro?
No. Success in the Call for Demand provides the ability to proceed in the interconnection process. Projects will continue to be required to follow all current rules, regulations, and business practices as part of the interconnections process.
33. For those projects over 10MW, if they are a non-profit organization looking to build a facility for data archival and AI workloads, does that have to go through the Call for Demand?
Yes. Non-profit organizations with new projects 10 MW or greater must participate in the Call for Demand if it wishes to be serviced by BC Hydro.
32. If we operate a small 1MW facility and want to expand to 2MW, do we go through the regular process to connect?
You are not required to participate in the Call for Demand, if the total incremental load after February 1st is not 10MW or greater.
31. What is the rate per KW? 1830/1611?
You can find information regarding particular rates in the electric tariff.
30. Are you saying that potentially not all 400MW will be available for this programme.
As outlined in the regulation, BC Hydro will determine how much of the "up to 400MW" of electricity allocated to the current call based on an assessment of the supply and demand.
29. Are existing industrial sites with existing available power (i.e. 150MW former Powell River pulp mill), excluded from this competitive process?
We are not going to name specific projects. The project status visual shows the cut off for projects.
28. If independent requests from major Canadian corporations are already in progress how will those requests impact this programme?
Project status impact, on the right-hand side of the visual, we will not be commenting on. There are some projects that fit into the 'green'. All projects except those with Facilities Study Agreements regardless of country of origin will be required to participate in the Call for Demand. Per Call for Demand document, up to the 400MW are available. You can view the project status visual.
27. What non power and financial factors strongly differentiate successful applications i.e. - job creation quality, Indigenous partnerships, regional development.
A range of project factors are being considered in the evaluation process. We would encourage you to refer to the slide deck and the Call for Demand document which includes further information on evaluation criteria and the weighting applied to criteria.
26. Both Bell Canada and Telus have publicly announced major data centre/AI projects under way here in BC that total well over 400MW of capacity. Will those projects be treated separately from this programme?
BC Hydro does not comment on particular projects and their load requests.
25. How early should proponents assume firm power commitments can realistically be achieved after application approval and is this also region dependent where BC Hydro may have surplus capacity or planned infra upgrades? Does this materially affect odds of successful application?
Determining firm commitment to power is part of the interconnections process which starts after a project is deemed successful. Within that interconnection process, system and regional capacity is assessed. Preliminary system reinforcement costs will be incorporated into proponent project information as part of a feasibility study for those projects that are successful meeting the minimum criteria. This information will be reflected in the cost effectiveness criteria which can then be influenced by proponent's increasing price or curtailment to offset these costs.
24. Will final prices of successful bidders remain confidential after the award concludes?
Aggregate results may be published but individual bids will be kept private.
23. Does the affiliate to meet financial requirements need to be Canadian organization in case of a multinational?
No, an affiliate can be a multinational.
22. What is a good benchmark for what we should expect the transmission interconnection cost to be (per megawatt) for say, 50-125MW?
Every project is unique and needs to be assessed individually for both estimated costs and timelines.
21. If existing applications qualify for over 400MW of capacity how does that impact this process?
The upper limit is 145M per project. Any applications that have not reached facilities study agreement along with all other applications will be considered within the "Up to 400MW" allocation.
20. What about the aggregate number?
We cannot discuss projects that are in the interconnection queue and cannot discuss the volume allocation for the competitive process at this time. As outlined in the regulation, BC Hydro will determine how much of the "up to 400MW" of electricity allocated to the current call based on an assessment of the supply and demand.
19. How much capacity is readily available at Ingledow?
Due to the constantly changing electrical system, the scope to provide requested capacity must be assessed on a project-by-project basis. Requests for information can be made.
18. Can you please explain the intention of the pricing requirement? Does the 10% increase minimum above rates essentially result in a higher-than-normal cost basis for power in this scenario?
This is a new process for BC Hydro and the intent is that customers bid into this competitive process. This includes projects that are captured by the process paying a percentage premium above the standard tariff rate – starting at the minimum requirement of 10%.
17. For the financial readiness section, do we need to show proof of funds for the full project CAPEX, or just the hydro costs?
No, you will need to satisfy the financial readiness components as stated in Schedule 3 of the Call for Demand document as well as information contained in the Project Information Application Form.
16. If successful, is there a commitment from BC Hydro to provide power or will it be based on available power or other factors?
If your project is successful in the Call for Demand you still need to proceed through the interconnections process. Proceeding through the interconnections process is normal practice to access and secure power from BC Hydro.
15. Can we get a copy of the presentation and recording?
We shared the presentation materials as well as a copy of the questions and answers after the session.
14. What is BC Hydro's definition of Digital Sovereignty?
Extensive information on definitions has been provided in the supporting documentation.
13. How will mixed use facilities be treated i.e. AI DC & Vertical Farm in the same physical facility?
Only the AI Data Centre will fall within the regulation. That means the applicant will need to determine the allocation between the data centres and vertical farm. The data centre amounts are subject to the Call for Demand (not the vertical farm).
12. Will you release a copy of this presentation afterwards upon request?
The presentation materials are posted, as well as a copy of the questions and answers after the session.
11. How much of the overall 400MW is already potentially spoken for with projects that are already in the interconnection queue?
The maximum project size that can enter the process is 145MW. None of the "Up to 400MW" allocated to this Call is spoken for. Projects in the interconnection queue that have not reached Facilities Study Agreement will be required to participate in this Call for Demand.
10. Does this mean that if we buy an existing company (not a DC) that currently has 50MW or higher capacity with BCH that we have to re-apply for re-use of the capacity as a Data Centre?
If the existing site with 50MW is not a data centre and you are considering purchasing it to be used as a data centre for a load of 10MW or greater, it would be required to go through the Call for Demand. More information can be found on Table 1 of the Call for Demand.
9. Does higher curtailment/bid price improve chances of getting requests approved?
Yes, providing a greater bid price or a higher load curtailment offer, above the minimum requirement, will result in higher points for the BC Hydro cost effectiveness component of the evaluation.
8. Do any substations have power available now for under 10MW that could be allocated to an AI Data Centre?
Due to the constantly changing electrical system, the scope to provide requested capacity must be assessed on a project-by-project basis. Requests for information can be made at the electrical connections page.
7. If a project applies for under 10MW is there a streamlined path for connection?
Projects under 10MW will follow the standard interconnection process.
6. Can the load curtailment be provided by other assets on the BC Hydro system or must the data centre reduce its load directly?
The intent of the curtailment requirement is for a load reduction of the data centre - monitoring of compliance with a curtailment directive must be tied to the data centre operations.
5. Is it an all or nothing? For example, if we apply for 50MW will you allow us to get less, or we would fail completely.
We have to study the entire load (50MW) so it either passes as is with the full 50MW (if successful) or fails. At this point, we are not looking at lowering any load to fit within the "up to 300 or 100" MW. Example we cannot parse up the 50MW to meet the allocation.
4. How do you see / define conventional vs. AI Data Centre? What if the end mix of types of data centres won't be known till later?
The Regulation sets out the definition of conventional vs AI Data Centres. Applicants will need to be able to declare the purpose of their data centre at the time of application.
3. What happens if projects are below 10MW? Would it not fall into this process then?
Projects below 10MW are not required to go through the Call for Demand Any incremental increase 10MW or greater after the date of the regulation will be required to go through the call for demand.
2. Will there be another Call for Demand for Emerging Industries, and if so could we anticipate it would be an annual Call?
While we anticipate there may be a need for additional calls, we are focused on the current call which covers the next two years. You can learn more in the Regulations.
1. Is BC Hydro able to share the number and/or MW of Storage Data Centre or AI Data Centre projects already in the Interconnection Queue as of February 1, 2026?
Due to confidentiality reasons, BC Hydro is unable to provide the number or MW of Storage Data Centre or AI Data Centre projects already in the Interconnections Queue as of February 1, 2026. We do not have plans to share this information as part of this process.
