Market-ready technologies that can be quickly deployed in commercial and residential buildings are key to BC Hydro’s plan to find an additional 2,000 gigawatt-hours (2 million megawatt-hours) of annual energy savings by 2030. A newly issued request for expressions of interest (RFEOI) seeks input from suppliers of demand-side management technologies with capabilities to provide both program management and installation services.

The initiative, which is a precursor to an anticipated request for proposals (RFP), will gather information for BC Hydro’s future energy planning and procurement strategies as it rolls out the elements of the clean power action plan it released earlier this spring. That’s aimed at delivering the capacity to power 1 million more homes in British Columbia through a combination of new renewable energy generating projects and energy efficiency.

“We are looking beyond the near term and opening up exploration of the next chapter of B.C.’s energy future by advancing the dialogue with industry participants and potential partners around clean-technology investments and expanding our leading energy-efficiency programs,” says Chris O’Riley, president and chief executive officer of BC Hydro.

Funding for the program is allocated through B.C. Hydro’s $700-million three-year energy efficiency plan. Prospective industry partners are invited to respond to the RFEOI by Sept. 8, 2025.

“As the demand for clean electricity in B.C. continues to grow, energy conservation remains the most cost-effective strategy to meet the growing demand,” the RFEOI states. “Accessible energy efficiency tools and resources empower customers to save money, reduce overall and peak electricity usage, ease pressure on the grid and decrease reliance on new power sources.”