Regional Power Inc.

Background on receiving the Blue Planet Prize

At the UNFCCC Montreal Climate Change Conference currently underway, the International Hydropower Association (IHA) announced that the Sechelt Creek Generating Station was one of the three winners awarded its Blue Planet Prize for the year 2005. Regional Power Inc., the developer and operator of the Sechelt Creek facility, was presented with the prize at an event during the United Nations Conference held on December 4, 2005. That event was opened with a speech by the Honourable Stephane Dion, Canada’s Minister of the Environment and the President of the United Nations Conference.

The Blue Planet Prize, which is awarded every two years for up to three projects, recognizes good practice in the development and operation of a hydropower scheme on the basis of environmental, technical, social and economic criteria developed by the IHA. These criteria were recently acknowledged by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). An International Panel of Judges visits each of the candidate projects for the award and an International Jury made up of representatives from UNESCO and the IHA select the winners. To win, a scheme must have been in operation for a minimum of three years and show excellence in one or more of the four criteria. In the case of the Sechelt Creek project, it was recognized for excellence in meeting and exceeding the social, environmental and technical criteria. It also received strong consideration for its economic aspects.

For Regional Power and the Sechelt Creek project, the Blue Planet Prize means recognition, on a global basis, of the standards of excellence which Regional Power tries to meet in all its developments and operations. The IHA has 1800 members representing more than 80 countries. The Blue Planet Prize was first awarded in 2001 to the King River Hydropower Development in Tasmania, Australia. In 2003, two schemes received the prize, the Plamiet Pumped Storage Scheme in South Africa and the Salto Caxias Project in Brazil. In 2005, in addition to the Sechelt Creek project, the Prize was given to the Arrow Lakes Generating Station, which is also in Canada, and the Andhikhola Hydel and Rural Electrification Scheme in Nepal.

The Sechelt Creek Project is a 16 MW facility, which was designed, developed and built by Regional Power and began operating in 1997. All of the electricity produced by the facility is purchased by BC Hydro under a long term power purchase agreement. The facility was acquired by the Clean Power Income Fund in 2001 and continues to be operated by Regional Power under a long term operating contract. It is a remote facility, located north of Vancouver, which is only accessible by boat or by plane. In citing the project for the award the Jury said:

“The Sechelt Creek Scheme…incorporates technical innovation in synergy with the local environment in a remote part of Canada. The scheme’s intake and powerhouse have been designed to be as unobtrusive as possible. The development has also been successful in the re-establishment of a thriving salmon run. An important element of the scheme is the partnership with local Sechelt Indian Band and fisheries authorities, leading to benefits for the local community and the environment.”

 For more information on the Sechelt Creek Project and Regional Power Inc., Please contact 416-593-4717

Many thanks to the key contributors of  Sechelt Creek Hydro Project development:

Sechelt Indian Band – Design and on-going management of Fish Spawning Channel

Lands and Waters British Columbia – Permitting and Regulatory Agency support

Department of Fisheries & Ocean – Spawning Channel Design Support

Sunshine Coast Regional District – Development and Zoning Support

BC Hydro – Power Purchase Contract Issuer and Project Support

CANFOR – Project support & Land Donation for Fish Spawning Channel