Natural gas resource planning

We look at trends in energy policy, market technologies, regional growth and customer demand to develop strategies that meet the energy needs of our customers, now and in the future. The Long Term Gas Resource Plan (LTGRP) is our road map for securing safe, reliable and cost-effective energy resources to meet our customers’ energy needs. 

The Long Term Gas Resource Plan: 

• looks ahead 20 years to identify energy supply requirements, infrastructure needs and opportunities to manage demand
• examines the resource options available to FortisBC, including the amount of energy supply we can feasibly acquire through conservation and energy management programs
• defines objectives to assess and evaluate the available resource options to determine the best overall outcome for our customers
• provides an action plan for ensuring delivery of safe, reliable and cost-effective energy to our customers

Why does FortisBC develop an LTGRP?

Developing a resource plan is required by the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) and it plays an important part in our overall strategic planning.

As demand for energy grows in the regions we serve, we need to evaluate all potential resources to deliver secure, reliable and cost-effective energy. These include:

• natural gas supply markets
• gas pipelines, gas storage facilities and other infrastructure
• conservation and energy management programs
• innovative energy solutions, such as Renewable Natural Gas and natural gas fuelling for transportation markets

The LTGRP outlines how we’ll meet our customers’ energy needs and how we’ll help them reduce their energy consumption, energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions.

How does FortisBC develop the LTGRP?

We develop the LTGRP in consultation with our stakeholders and in accordance with the BCUC’s resource planning guidelines. We conduct an in-depth, research-based examination of energy supply conditions, demand projections and resource acquisition alternatives that exist to provide safe, reliable and cost-effective energy to our customers. Specific components of the plan include:

• a discussion of the policy and market environment
• forecasts of our annual and peak demand over the next 20 years
• a long term outlook on energy savings that can be achieved through conservation and energy management
• recommendations for system reinforcements to meet anticipated annual increases in peak demand along with potential new sources of demand from industrial sources and natural gas for transportation applications
• other planning activities to provide secure, reliable and cost-effective supply for customers over the long term
• a short term action plan to identify the steps required to implement, acquire or construct the resources described in the LTGRP

The LTGRP also looks at larger issues that affect how we deliver energy to our customers, including:

• trends and technologies in natural gas production and transportation
• trends and technologies in alternative and renewable energy
• expected future demand and system capacity
• conservation and energy management initiatives to help meet government objectives for a clean energy supply

Resource planning and engaging with Indigenous communities and stakeholders

• Connecting with customers, communities, Indigenous communities and stakeholders on long range planning issues is a priority for us. Our stakeholders include customers, associations, builders, developers, gas suppliers, gas marketers, government agencies, municipalities and other utilities. Our Statement of Indigenous Principles ensures our business operations are conducted with respect for Indigenous social, economic and cultural interests.

We plan a number of opportunities for stakeholder input into the LTGRP:

• The Resource Planning Advisory Group (RPAG) is a technical working group that engages members from municipalities, government, Indigenous communities, customer associations and environmental organizations in developing the LTGRP. This group of energy industry experts, relevant government and Indigenous participants and other key stakeholders regularly provides input on important energy issues during the long term resource planning process.
• Community engagement workshops throughout BC offer opportunities for stakeholder feedback on resource planning. Email [email protected] to be added to our mailing list for these community engagement workshops.

Learn more about recent stakeholder engagement activities and our work on the next LTGRP.

2017 Long Term Natural Gas Resource Plan

We submitted the 2017 Long Term Resource Plan to the BCUC on December 14, 2017. The BCUC accepted the 2017 LTGRP as in the public interest on February 25, 2019, and directed us to submit the next resource plan by March 31, 2022. 

The 2017 LTGRP includes:

• a discussion of the policy and market environment that informed the LTGRP
• forecasts of our annual and peak demand over the next 20 years
• a long term outlook on energy savings that can be achieved through energy efficiency and conservation
• recommendations of system reinforcements to meet anticipated annual increases in peak demand along with potential new sources of demand from industrial sources and natural gas for transportation applications
• other planning activities to provide secure, reliable and cost-effective supply for customers over the long term
• a short-term action plan to identify the steps required to acquire or construct the resources described in the LTGRP

You can read the 2017 LTGRP and appendices, including an executive summary and action plan highlighting the key issues and recommendations to allow us to continue providing safe, reliable and cost-effective natural gas delivery services over the next 20 years.

You can also read our previous resource plans.

Regional planning

We’re a member of the Northwest Gas Association (NWGA), a trade organization that serves the Pacific Northwest natural gas industry. The NWGA membership includes six natural gas utilities and three transmission pipeline companies serving communities throughout Idaho, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia.

We’re here to help

For more information about our LTGRP, related resource planning and stakeholder engagement activities, please email [email protected].