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Electricity emission intensity factors for grid-connected entities

Last updated on April 8, 2025

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.

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Use of EEIF

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

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, while 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. 

Yearly variations in EEIF 

In a hydroelectric-based power system such as B.C.’s, GHG emissions from electricity generation can vary significantly from year to year. The quantity purchased by consumers and variations in water supply conditions and reservoir levels impacts this variation.  

In years with low stream flow and/or low reservoir levels, hydroelectric power must be supplemented through imported fossil-fuel (thermally) generated electricity, purchased from neighbouring jurisdictions, leading to higher provincial GHG emissions. During years with higher stream flow and/or high reservoir levels, less fossil-fuel generated electricity is needed and GHG emissions are relatively lower. 

For example, B.C.’s published EEIF for the Integrated Grid rose from 29.9 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per gigawatt hour (tCO2e/GWh) in 2019 to 40.1 tCO2e/GWh in 2020 primarily due to increased imported electricity as 2019 was a drier year than 2018. Although there is an increase, the use of a multi-year rolling average aids in partially smoothing out annual fluctuations in the EEIF due to changing water conditions and the accompanying reliance levels on other electricity generation. 

Factors contributing to the changes in the 2024 EEIF compared to 2023 

The observed decrease in the 2024 EEIF can be attributed to two key factors:

  • Exclusion of 2019 data - the 2024 factor is calculated using data from 2020 to 2023, and since 2019 had relatively high emissions from electricity generation, its removal from the rolling average lowered the overall factor. Notably, emissions from gas-fired thermal generators in 2023 were half of those in 2019 
  • Net electricity export over the four-year period - while B.C. imported more electricity in 2023, the EEIF averages emissions over the entire 2020 to 2023 period, during which B.C. was a net exporter of electricity 

Grid intensity factors 

B.C.'s grid electricity GHG emission intensity factors in tCO2e/GWh
Year Integrated Grid Fort Nelson Grid
2024 9.9 493
2023 11.3 466
2022 11.5 486
2021 9.7 511
2020 40.1 530
2019 29.9 560
2018 25.3 572
2017 31.7 559

Methodology for calculating EEIF

The EEIF is calculated using the methodology outlined in Schedule D of the Greenhouse Gas Emission Reporting Regulation. This factor is calculated annually using emissions and electricity data reported by power producers and electricity import/export operations in BC. The EEIF represents a consumption-based estimate, meaning imports are included and exports are excluded. 

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.

Updates 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 rolling average to a 4-year rolling average - 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.

Backcasted 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

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.

Map of B.C.'s electricity transmission grids