Electricity emission intensity factors for grid-connected entities

Under the Greenhouse Gas Industrial Reporting and Control Act, the Province annually releases electricity emission intensity factors (EEIF) for the Integrated Grid and the Fort Nelson Grid. The factors are calculated annually using emissions and electricity data reported by power producers and electricity import/export operations in B.C. 

On this page

• Electricity supply in B.C.
• Use of EEIF
• Methodology for calculating EEIF
• Factors contributing to variations in the 2025 EEIFs
• Grid intensity factors
• B.C. electrical system

Electricity supply in B.C.

Electricity in B.C. is delivered through:

• Integrated Grid - covers southern and western B.C., serving the majority of the population 
• Fort Nelson Grid - located in northeast B.C., connected to Alberta’s grid 
• Isolated Grid - serves isolated grid communities throughout B.C. 

The majority of B.C.’s population is connected to the Integrated Grid. The Fort Nelson Grid is connected to Alberta’s grid. 

The differences in grid intensity between B.C.'s Integrated Grid and the Fort Nelson Grid stem from their energy sources. The Integrated Grid relies largely on clean, renewable hydroelectric power, resulting in a lower EEIF. The Fort Nelson Grid depends more on fossil fuels, resulting in a higher EEIF. These distinctions reflect the regional variations in electricity generation and are considered in B.C.'s EEIF methodology to accurately capture carbon emissions across B.C. 

Use of EEIF

The published EEIFs are used in quantifying greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of electricity that is purchased from B.C.'s electricity grid for:

• Offset projects as prescribed in relevant GHG emissions offset protocols
• Public Sector Organizations (PSOs) under the Carbon Neutral Government Regulation
• Local Governments that report emissions under the Local Government Climate Action Program and Community Energy and Emissions Inventory
• Other customers of BC Hydro and FortisBC who wish to calculate the GHG emissions associated with their electricity use

Methodology for calculating EEIF

The EEIFs are consumption-based estimate, meaning electricity imports are included and exports are excluded. The EEIFs are calculated over a 4-year window, where emissions from domestic production is added to all emissions from electricity imports after which all emissions from electricity exports are subtracted, and the result is divided by all the electricity produced. The 4-year window for a given year’s EEIFs ends the previous year (e.g. 2025’s EEIF uses data from 2021-2024). The use of a 4-year window accounts for yearly changing water conditions and the accompanying level of reliance on other electricity generation. 

The methodology is outlined in Schedule D of the Greenhouse Gas Emission Reporting Regulation (GGERR).

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. 

Factors contributing to variations in the 2025 EEIFs

In a hydroelectric-based power system such as B.C.’s, domestic electricity generation can vary significantly from year to year, as a result of water supply conditions. In years with low stream flow and/or low reservoir levels, B.C.’s hydroelectric power must be supplemented with imported electricity. The imported electricity may come from clean sources or fossil-fuel (thermal) generation and is purchased from neighbouring jurisdictions

The observed increase in the 2025 EEIF can be attributed to the inclusion of 2023 and 2024 in the 4-year calculation window, which were drought years that resulted in net imports. The use of the 4-year window in calculating the EEIFs can smooth out annual fluctuations, but as the window shifts to include years with more imports, EEIFs will increase. In 2021 and 2022, British Columbia had fewer imports than exports, with an average annual trade balance of 5,700 GWh of net exports. In 2023 and 2024, the trend reversed. British Columbia became a net importer with an average annual trade balance of approximately 10,700 GWh of net imports. 

Grid intensity factors 

Historic changes to the EEIF calculation methodology 

In 2022, the EEIF calculation methodology was amended to ensure the published EEIF values more accurately reflect the carbon intensity of electricity consumed in B.C. The updated methodology considers B.C.’s ability to be a provider of energy storage services, while also better aligning B.C. with other trading jurisdictions, including California and Washington state. The changes were informed by discussions with BC Hydro, Powerex, and FortisBC. The updated methodology has been used going forward from the 2021 EEIF. 

The two primary changes made to the methodology include: 

• Switching from a gross imports basis to a net imports basis - this reflects the distinction between imports needed to meet domestic demand and trading activities intended to maximize the value of B.C. as a provider of energy storage services. Under a net imports basis, only emissions associated with the portion of imports required for domestic use are included in the EEIF 
• Moving from a 3-year window to a 4-year window- this reduces the influence of short-term variability, such as temporary changes in power generation due to weather, demand or operational factors

Backcasted grid factors for 2010 to 2020

The following backcasted 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 tCO2e/GWh.

2017 methodology

The 2017 methodology column represents updates made for PSOs 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 framework should use the figures under the 2021 methodology columns to facilitate analysis of emissions trends over time.

B.C. electrical system

The following is a scalable PDF map showing:

• Red - Integrated Grid
• Blue - Fort Nelson Grid
• Black - Isolated Grid

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.