Overview
Upper Lillooet River is a 81.4 MW hydroelectric power plant in British Columbia, Canada, operated by Innergex and Ledcor Power Group. It is an operational facility contributing to Canada's renewable energy capacity.
Upper Lillooet River is a hydroelectric power plant located in British Columbia, Canada, with a capacity of 81.4 MW. The facility is owned by Innergex (66.7%) and Ledcor Power Group (33.3%) and is currently operational. As a run-of-river hydroelectric plant, it harnesses the flow of the Upper Lillooet River to generate electricity without significant water storage. The plant operates under Canada's federal and provincial regulatory frameworks, including the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and British Columbia's Water Sustainability Act. Hydroelectric power is a dominant renewable energy source in Canada, accounting for over 60% of the country's electricity generation. The Upper Lillooet River facility represents a medium-scale hydro project, typical of run-of-river developments in mountainous regions of British Columbia. Environmentally, hydroelectric plants like Upper Lillooet River produce low greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuel plants. However, they can affect local aquatic ecosystems and river flow regimes. The facility's location in a remote, mountainous area minimizes direct impact on populated regions. Its contribution to the grid supports Canada's transition to low-carbon energy and provides clean electricity to the surrounding region.
Environmental context
The Upper Lillooet River hydroelectric plant operates in a mountainous region of British Columbia, an area characterized by steep terrain and abundant water resources. Hydroelectric power generation here relies on seasonal snowmelt and rainfall, which can be influenced by climate variability. The facility's run-of-river design reduces the need for large reservoirs, thereby limiting habitat fragmentation and methane emissions associated with storage dams. However, it still alters natural flow patterns and may affect fish migration and sediment transport. The plant's low carbon footprint aligns with Canada's goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation.
Frequently asked questions
The Upper Lillooet River hydroelectric plant is located in British Columbia, Canada, on the Upper Lillooet River. Its coordinates are approximately 50.6570° N, -123.4476° W.
The Upper Lillooet River hydroelectric plant has a capacity of 81.4 megawatts (MW), making it a medium-scale hydro facility.
The plant is owned by Innergex (66.7%) and Ledcor Power Group (33.3%). Innergex typically manages its own facilities.
Hydroelectric plants in Canada are subject to federal regulations such as the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and the Fisheries Act, as well as provincial regulations like British Columbia's Water Sustainability Act and Clean Energy Act.
Hydroelectric power produces low greenhouse gas emissions but can affect aquatic ecosystems, alter river flows, and impact fish migration. Run-of-river designs like Upper Lillooet River minimize reservoir-related impacts.