Small Community Infrastructure Sustainability - Energy

Changing Demand for Diesel to Small Scale Micro Hydro

The economic cost to the Gitga'at of relying on diesel-generated power was also high. In 2002, the price of diesel was approximately $0.60 per litre (diesel prices have subsequently doubled), resulting in an operating cost of 26¢ per kWh — more than four times higher than the cost of electricity for BC Hydro customers connected to the grid. Using diesel generators, the community's electricity costs per year exceeded $300,000. The Pembina Institute estimated that a new hydro project could generate power at a cost of 20¢ per kWh (including both capital and operating costs). Over 20 years, the community would save over $2.65 million dollars.
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