B.C.’s low snowpack and early melt signal drought, raising concerns for hydro power

The province of British Columbia is facing a potential crisis as drier and warmer weather conditions have led to an early snow melt, raising concerns about widespread drought this summer. The latest snowpack and water supply bulletin released by the province highlights the impact of the early melt on hydroelectricity generation, which could result in B.C. becoming a net importer of electricity from the United States.

Former provincial environment minister, Barry Penner, who now chairs the Energy Futures Institute, emphasized the importance of snowpack as “electricity in the bank.” In times of drought, B.C. Hydro relies on stored water in reservoirs to meet peak demand, but with the current situation, the province is being forced to import electricity to make up the shortfall.

The bulletin reveals that as of May 1, the snowpack in B.C. was at an average of 71 percent of normal, a decrease from 79 percent on April 1. This figure is slightly higher than last year but still poses a significant risk of elevated drought conditions this summer. Rivers in various regions of the province are already flowing at or near record low levels for this time of year.

The decline in snowpack and early snowmelt are contributing to a reduction in electricity generation in B.C. This trend is further exacerbated by increasing demand for power, particularly during the summer months when more people use air conditioners.

To address the looming energy crisis, the B.C. government has announced a second call for power from renewable sources, aiming to generate up to 5,000 gigawatt hours of energy per year. This initiative follows a previous call for power in 2024, which resulted in the approval of 10 new renewable energy projects, some of which are owned by First Nations.

Despite these efforts, it will take time for the new projects to come online. In the meantime, Penner suggests implementing measures to reduce electricity demand, such as revising electric vehicle mandates and utilizing natural gas instead of importing electricity from the United States.

The bulletin also emphasizes the importance of monitoring spring and summer temperatures and precipitation patterns, as they will play a crucial role in determining drought conditions. Seasonal weather forecasts indicate above-normal temperatures in B.C. through July, with varying precipitation levels across the province.

While there is currently no elevated flood risk based on the snowpack levels, areas with low snowpack are susceptible to flooding from heavy rain events. The bulletin advises that precipitation poses a flood risk throughout the spring, especially in the interior regions of B.C.

Overall, the province is facing a challenging situation with the early melt and reduced snowpack levels. It will be essential to closely monitor water supply levels and implement strategies to ensure a stable and sustainable energy supply for the future.