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ARTICLE · 29 MARCH 2016

BC Hydro Releases Long-Anticipated Updates To Standing Offer Program And Introduces Micro-Standing Offer Program

McCarthy Tétrault
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On March 4, 2016, BC Hydro released a new version of its SOP Rules to address feedback it received during First Nation and stakeholder consultation meetings and focus group discussions conducted over the last few years.

CanadaEnergy and Natural Resources
Ainslie Hurd (Articling Student)
Ainslie Hurd (Articling Student)
Sebastian Nishimoto
Sebastian Nishimoto
Sven Milelli
Sven Milelli
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Updates to the Standing Offer Program (SOP)

On March 4, 2016, BC Hydro released a new version (Version 3.1) of its SOP Rules to address feedback it received during First Nation and stakeholder consultation meetings and focus group discussions conducted over the last few years. The SOP offers small-scale, clean energy projects in British Columbia with capacities between 100 kW and 15 MW the opportunity to enter into energy purchase agreements (EPAs) with BC Hydro. An EPA requires the project developer to sell all energy from the project to BC Hydro for a term of 20 to 40 years commencing on commercial operation date (COD). Version 3.0 of the SOP Rules introduces several notable changes:

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