Cariboo Regional District Board Urges Province to Finalize Deal with Atlantic Power

The Cariboo Regional District (CRD) is calling on the provincial government and BC Hydro to expedite a new deal to keep the Williams Lake Power Plant (WLPP) operational. The biomass-fueled plant, which has been generating power since 1993, employs 30 people and supports about 100 local jobs. It provides enough electricity to power 52,000 homes and is the largest taxpayer in Williams Lake, contributing $1.7 million in annual tax revenue. However, rising operational costs and a limited supply of wood waste could force the plant to close as early as late 2025 without a new agreement. CRD Board Chair Margo Wagner stressed that closing the facility would harm both the local economy and the province’s clean energy goals. The plant also plays a crucial role in wildfire mitigation by converting waste biomass into clean energy. Local officials are pushing for an agreement between Atlantic Power and BC Hydro to avoid disruption.