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Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
To OIC 692, the parameters associated with the 18-month suspension of BC Hydro’s obligation to supply service to crypto-mining projects is set out in the Direction. In particular, Section 3 of the Direction relieves BC Hydro of two core obligations:the obligation to supply service to new low-voltage cryptocurrency projects, including the obligation to accept design deposits in relation to those projects; and the obligation to supply service to new high-voltage crypto currency projects, including:entering into system impact study agreements in relation to new high-voltage projects; and entering into facilities study agreements in relation to paused projects.Ultimately, Section 3 applies to crypto-mining projects at various stages of development. However, projects already connected to BC Hydro’s grid as well as a small number of projects well advanced in BC Hydro’s connection process will not be affected by the suspension. Currently, there are seven operational crypto-mining sites in the Province with a further six sites in advanced stages of the connection process, totalling a load of 273 megawatts.However, those projects that have yet to begin the connection process cannot initiate that process as a result of the Direction. Similarly, those projects in the early stages of the process are halted. These latter projects are referred to as “paused projects” – high-voltage projects subject to varying system impact study agreements dated December 1, 2021 to June 20, 2022.Why suspend the obligation to serve cryptocurrency? The B.C. Government recently explained that the temporary suspension of BC Hydro’s obligation to serve new crypto-mining projects is dual
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