British Columbia proposes new power rules for AI, data centres, prioritizes jobs

British Columbia’s government is proposing changes to its energy rules that would force companies from certain industries to fight for access to a set amount of power.

Rather than the current first-come, first-service structure, the government says the new policy would prioritize natural resource and manufacturing projects, while artificial intelligence, data centres and hydrogen-for-export projects would have to bid for their power.

The changes tabled by Energy Minister Adrian Dix on Monday would also make the current ban on cryptocurrency connections permanent.

The competitive process for AI and data centres is expected to be launched in January with 300 megawatts of power for AI and 100 megawatts for data centres available every two years.

“The allocation framework allows for the paced growth of these sectors and avoids mistakes we’ve seen in other jurisdictions where growth has outpaced infrastructure, resulting in higher costs for everyday residential customers,” Dix told reporters Monday.

“We won’t make that mistake. We will prioritize the projects that provide the best, greatest benefit to British Columbians.”

The legislative changes would also enable the expedited construction of the North Coast Transmission Line, which has an updated price tag of $6 billion for the first two phases.

The estimated cost of the transmission line in 2023 was $3 billion and was expected to take eight to 10 years to build.

Dix said building the transmission line, which is initially expected to run between Prince George and Terrace, is a necessary step to support potential future mining projects in the area.

Michael Goehring, president of the Mining Association of British Columbia, told the news conference there are a number of critical mineral and precious metal mines proposed in the regions.

“At a tenuous time for our economy and our nation, the North Coast Transmission Line will strengthen Canada’s position as a leading global supplier of critical minerals and metals, and unlock more than $45 billion in near-term economic activity from mine construction for British Columbia and for all Canadians,” he said.

The provincial government is directing the B.C. Utilities Commission to issue a certificate of public convenience and public necessity for the project, a process that would normally require public hearings.

Premier David Eby said that he stands by the decision.

The process of the utilities commission’s hearing is to determine whether the transmission line is in the public interest and that would add months or even a year to the timeline, Eby said.

“We are making the decision as a government that this is in the public interest. We will be held accountable for that decision by voters. But to my mind, there is no debate about this.”

Eby said the transmission line will open up economic development in a region of the province that has not seen the same prosperity as other areas because it hasn’t had access to high voltage electricity that drives economic development.

Construction of the line 450-kilometre line is expected to start next year.

A statement from the province said that once operational, the transmission line is expected to create approximately 9,700 direct full-time jobs and contribute nearly $10 billion per year to GDP.

Eby said his government is “engaging with conversations” with Ottawa to get federal support for the project.

“This line, at its full extension, will go all the way up to the Yukon, will assist with northern sovereignty issues, defence concerns that have been raised by the Yukon. This line is the Yukon’s number 1 priority as well. And so, our partnership with the federal government will help protect ratepayers,” he said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 20, 2025