Skip to main content

Skip to navigation

The access keys for this page are:

Your B.C. Government

Bioenergy and Alternative Energy

Your B.C. Government is supporting the development of new energy technology because it has the potential to create jobs, reduce greenhouse gases, and help meet B.C.'s growing need for electricity.

What your B.C. Government is doing for Bioenergy and Alternative Energy:

  • Your B.C. Government has invested $600,000 in 2008 in bioenergy research, studying technology, infrastructure, and biomass supply. The FPInnovations Forest Research Institute, the University of British Columbia, and the University of Victoria are all participating in research projects aimed at growing B.C.'s fast-growing bioenergy sector.
  • Bioenergy is a way to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere when it is used to avoid or displace non-renewable sources of energy such as gas or oil.
  • Bioenergy can lower greenhouse gas and other emissions and encourage organic garbage conversion, methane capture from landfills and better agricultural waste management.
  • Your B.C. government has provided $25 million to establish and enhance B.C.'s Bioenergy Network.
  • In 2008 the Province passed legislation to set a five per cent average renewable fuel standard for diesel fuel and gasoline. B.C. has set a goal of meeting 50 per cent or more of the province's renewable fuel requirements by 2020 with biofuels produced in B.C.
  • The province is a leader in bioenergy production, with over half of Canada's biomass electricity production capacity located right here in B.C. The Province is investing almost $8 million to support the production of liquid biofuels with demonstrated low greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Over 800 megawatts of biomass electricity capacity is installed in B.C. - enough for 640,000 households.
  • Since 2008, the Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) Fund has approved investments of over $47 million in 34 projects in communities across B.C., representing a total value of over $174 million to help develop clean and renewable energy technologies for British Columbians in areas such as solar, geothermal, tidal, wind, and bioenergy.
  • In 2005 the Province introduced further incentives to support the development of wind power projects and supported the construction of B.C.'s first tidal energy project.
  • As a result, the private sector has invested more than $2 billion in new clean power.
  • B.C. is breaking new ground in hydrogen fuel cell technology with the world's first fleet of fuel cell buses and the development of a hydrogen highway between Vancouver and Whistler. The 20-bus fleet, together with $7.5 million in funding, reinforces British Columbia's commitment to hydrogen and fuel cell development as a zero-emission transportation solution.
  • Your B.C. Government has provided $5 million to the SolarBC program to encourage the installation of solar hot water heaters in homes, municipal buildings, schools, social housing and First Nations communities.