March 27, 2025
RECAP: Renewable Energy Climate Adaptation Project
Enhancing the resilience of B.C.’s renewable energy systems.
The Fraser Basin Council, in partnership with Natural Resources Canada and other key collaborators, is leading the Renewable Energy Climate Adaptation Project (RECAP). This initiative, which runs January 2024 to December 2026, focuses on enhancing the resilience of British Columbia’s renewable energy systems.
Project Goals:
- Strengthen communities’ capacity to integrate climate risk into the planning of solar and biomass renewable energy projects.
- Compile and share insights from previously implemented adaptation actions for renewable energy projects.
- Develop guidance on integrating climate risk information into solar and biomass project development and facilitate peer learning among practitioners.
- Enhance community safety through proactive management of safety risks in renewable energy systems.
Project Outputs:
- Research report based on research and interviews with key actors, community representatives and technical experts.
- Guidance documents on climate adaptation tailored to solar and biomass energy projects.
- Case studies on successful adaptation in renewable energy projects in BC.
- Peer learning labs for practitioners to learn from each other.
Background:
The low-carbon energy sector in Canada is experiencing rapid growth, driven by advancements in clean energy technologies and renewable energy sources such as solar, micro-hydro, wind and biomass. In April 2024, BC Hydro issued a Call for Power to secure new sources of renewable, zero-emission electricity and to expand on-grid clean energy projects. A significant proportion of the projects are expected to be led by First Nations communities.
The expansion of renewable energy infrastructure in B.C., however, coincides with escalating climate risks, including rising temperatures, erratic precipitation patterns, sea-level rise and more frequent extreme weather events. The devastating wildfire season of 2023 highlighted an urgent need to bolster the resilience of the province’s energy systems against climate-driven disruptions.
As an organization focused on sustainability, the Fraser Basin Council (FBC) recognizes the critical intersection of renewable energy development and climate risk management. FBC is leading the Renewable Energy Climate Adaptation Project (RECAP) through collaborative efforts and by leveraging expertise from diverse partners. RECAP will interest First Nations, local governments and those who work with them on energy systems.
Contact the Fraser Basin Council for more information:
Contact the Fraser Basin Council for more information:Eliana Chia,
Program Manager, Climate Change
Email: echia@fraserbasin.ca
Rebeka MacDonald,
Program Lead, Climate Resilience
Email: rmacdonald@fraserbasin.ca
Erin Pedersen,
Program Lead, Climate & Energy Resilience
Email: epedersen@fraserbasin.ca
Supported by Natural Resources Canada’s
Climate Change Adaptation Program.
Additional in-kind support from other project partners including: B.C.’s Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, Climate Action Secretariat, New Relationship Trust, Technical Safety BC and Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium.
