EDF Power Solutions North America and the Saulteau First Nations have executed a 30‑year Electricity Purchase Agreement (EPA) with BC Hydro for the 200.6 MW Taylor South Wind Project. Awarded under BC Hydro’s 2025 Call for Power, the agreement is positioned to help British Columbia meet its rising demand for clean electricity while underpinning future economic growth across the province. The partnership reflects a broader provincial strategy, highlighted by Energy Minister Adrian Dix, to expand clean‑energy supply, keep power affordable, and attract private‑sector investment that creates good jobs. By securing a long‑term contract now, both EDF and the Saulteau First Nations are aligning with BC Hydro’s goal of delivering reliable, low‑carbon power to homes, businesses, and transportation networks.
EDF Power Solutions and Saulteau First Nations Execute 30‑Year EPA
The EPA was formally signed by EDF Power Solutions North America, the Saulteau First Nations, and BC Hydro. Under the terms of the agreement, BC Hydro will purchase the full output of the Taylor South Wind Project for the next three decades, providing a stable revenue stream that underwrites the project’s financing. The development is structured as an equity partnership: the Saulteau First Nations hold a 51 % economic interest, granting them majority ownership and a proportional share of revenues, while EDF Power Solutions contributes development expertise, operational management, and access to capital. The contract emerged from BC Hydro’s competitive 2025 Call for Power, a process that selected four clean‑energy projects to expand the province’s generation capacity. EDF’s Senior Director of Development, Mark Gallagher, emphasized that the award validates three years of collaborative partnership work with the Saulteau First Nations and demonstrates confidence in meeting BC Hydro’s clean‑power targets.
Taylor South Wind Project Details and Timeline
Taylor South expands the existing Taylor Wind facility and is situated on Crown Land in the Peace River Region, roughly 10 km south of the community of Taylor, B.C. The project will install 200.6 MW of wind capacity, enough to generate electricity for approximately 60,000 homes by its planned in‑service date of 2032. The overall investment is estimated at $650 million, with more than $150 million earmarked for key development and construction activities that will be sourced locally, thereby injecting capital directly into the regional economy. EDF’s Mark Gallagher noted that the project builds on an existing wind asset awarded an EPA in 2025, and that the expanded capacity will help BC Hydro diversify its generation mix. The timeline includes continued permitting, detailed engineering, and a construction phase that is expected to commence shortly after the agreement’s execution, with a clear pathway to commercial operation by 2032.
Economic and Job Impact
BC Hydro President and CEO Charlotte Mitha highlighted that expanding wind generation not only diversifies the utility’s supply but also complements its flexible hydroelectric system, enhancing overall reliability when wind conditions fluctuate. The Taylor South project is projected to create over 250 jobs across its development, construction, and operational phases, providing employment opportunities for local workers and specialized trades. Chief Rudy Paquette of the Saulteau First Nations stressed that the investment respects treaty obligations and seeks “triple‑win” outcomes—benefiting the community, the province, and investors alike. By directing a substantial portion of the budget to local contractors and suppliers, the project supports broader economic objectives, delivering clean, affordable electricity for residential, commercial, and transportation sectors while fostering sustainable community development.
Key Takeaways
- EDF Power Solutions North America and Saulteau First Nations signed a 30‑year EPA with BC Hydro for the 200.6 MW Taylor South Wind Project, awarded under BC Hydro’s 2025 Call for Power.
- The Saulteau First Nations hold a 51 % economic interest; the project targets delivery of power for 60,000 homes by 2032.
- Total project investment is about $650 million, with more than $150 million directed to local development and construction, and an estimated 250 jobs created.
EnergyInsyte's Take
The agreement adds a sizable wind resource to BC Hydro’s portfolio, reinforcing the utility’s strategy of blending wind with hydro to maintain reliability while expanding clean capacity. Executives should monitor the project’s progress toward the 2032 in‑service date, especially any permitting or supply‑chain constraints that could affect the timeline. The partnership model—majority First Nations economic ownership combined with a seasoned developer—offers a template for future projects seeking community alignment and financing certainty.
Source: EDF-re
