Electricity emission intensity factors for grid-connected entities

The director under the Greenhouse Gas Industrial Reporting and Control Act (GGIRCA) annually publishes a set of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission intensity factors for electricity use. The published factors must be used by grid-connected entities in quantifying GHG emissions of electricity, which is not self-generated, for the following:

• Offset projects as prescribed in relevant GHG emissions offset protocols
• Public Sector Organizations (PSOs) under the Carbon Neutral Government Regulation
• Other customers of BC Hydro and FortisBC who wish to calculate the GHG emissions associated with their electricity use

The calculation of emissions intensity is based solely on estimates of physical emissions and does not represent any claim or right to the environmental attributes of the electricity delivered to customers. The environmental attributes associated with this electricity may have been retained by, sold, or transferred to third parties inside or outside of B.C.

The Province updated the methodology for determining the electricity emission intensity factors. This update came into force starting with the 2021 emission factors. The updated methodology measures "net imports" instead of "gross imports" to more accurately reflect the carbon intensity of electricity consumed in B.C. The change accounts for the decrease from 2020 to 2021.

For more information read the Electricity Emission Intensity Factors Frequently Asked Questions (PDF, 188 KB).

Grid factors 

Electricity in B.C. is supplied to customers through the Integrated grid (southern and western B.C.), the Fort Nelson grid (northeast B.C.), and through community generating stations for isolated grid communities (throughout B.C.).

B.C.’s Grid Electricity GHG Emission Intensity Factors in tonnes CO₂-equivalent per Gigawatt-hour (tCO₂e/GWh) for:​

Hindcasted grid factors for 2010 to 2020

The following hindcasted grid electricity GHG emission intensity factors for 2010 to 2020 have been calculated to facilitate appropriate methodological comparisons over time. The emission intensity factors are expressed in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per Gigawatt-hour (tCO₂e/GWh).

2017 Methodology

The 2017 Methodology column represents updates made for Public Sector Organizations that have been reporting their operational emissions under the Climate Change Accountability Act since 2010. These values have been implemented within the Clean Government Reporting Tool used by PSOs for corporate measurement.

2021 Methodology

Local Governments that report their emissions under the Local Government Climate Action Program or other climate reporting frameworks should use the figures under the 2021 Methodology columns to facilitate analysis of emissions trends over time.

Hindcasted grid factors (tCO₂e/GWh)

Year	Integrated Grid - 2021 Methodology	Integrated Grid - 2017 Methodology	Fort Nelson Grid - 2021 Methodology	Fort Nelson Grid - 2017 Methodology
2020	9.2	40.1	553	530
2019	7.5	29.9	548	560
2018	7.7	25.3	566	572
2017	10.1	31.7	578	559
2016	12.9	32.8	578	550
2015	15.1	34.2	585	562
2014	21.1	31.6	577	564
2013	25.4	35.0	576	562
2012	29.4	40.1	562	552
2011	32.4	41.6	554	544
2010	29.5	35.7	554	544

B.C. electrical system

The following is a scalable PDF map showing:

• Red - Integrated grid
• Blue - Fort Nelson grid
• Black - Isolated grid communities 

This map is provided as informal guidance to interested parties wishing to examine the electrical system in the vicinity of their community.

For official confirmation of grid connectivity, please inquire with your electricity provider.