The recent 25 per cent tariff comes as B.C. turns to wind farm projects to make up for a coming electricity supply-gap
Stefan Labbé, Business in Vancouver
B.C.’s premier has raised concerns with Prime Minister Mark Carney that a recent move to impose a 25 per cent tariff on wind towers will drive up costs for a number of projects meant to close an electricity supply-gap over the coming years.
Premier David Eby acknowledged Friday there is not a wind tower or turbine producer anywhere in Western Canada that could pick up the slack from foreign imports, which largely come from China.
While the tariffs may make sense for Ontario’s steel industry, Eby said they will have a very different impact on B.C. and will drive up costs for major public infrastructure projects in BC Hydro’s 2024 call for power.
Patricia Lightburn, the Canadian Renewable Energy Association’s director of policy for British Columbia, said proponents of the wind projects submit bids with razor-thin margins.
The tariffs threaten to derail already announced projects completely while placing added costs on future projects expected to be announced next year in another call for power, she said.
“BC Hydro is counting on the gigawatt hours that will be supplied by these two calls for power,” Lightburn said. “And if that supply is put at risk through these tariffs, then that’s going to be a problem for BC Hydro in meeting future demand.” Read more.