Geothermal means “heat from the Earth.” Along coastal British Columbia, tectonic activity - the movement of the Earth’s plates - creates faults and fractures that allow hot magma from deep underground to rise closer to the surface. This magma heats underground water reservoirs, which can be tapped to generate electricity and heat.
Geothermal potential in B.C.
British Columbia lies on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a zone of active plate movement that provides strong potential for geothermal energy.
The horseshoe-shaped Ring of Fire is a vast tectonic zone circling the Pacific Ocean, where Earth’s plates are constantly shifting and interacting. This activity creates conditions for magma (molten rock) from deep within the Earth to rise closer to the surface where it heats surrounding rock and underground water reservoirs. The heated water or steam can then be tapped to produce clean electricity and heat.
The province’s potential geothermal resources have been assessed and mapped by Geoscience BC and other experts.
In general, three conditions are needed for a geothermal resource to be viable:
- High temperatures
- Water
- Permeable rock
How geothermal energy is accessed and used (and re-used)
To harness geothermal energy, wells are drilled into the underground reservoirs of hot water or steam. The fluid flows naturally or is pumped to the surface, where its heat is extracted and used for:
- Generating electricity (very hot water or steam drives turbines)
- Heating buildings and greenhouses
- Supplying recreational facilities such as hot springs
- District heating for entire communities
After the heat is used, the cooled water is reinjected into the reservoir to maintain pressure and allow it to reheat — creating a sustainable cycle.
The BC Energy Regulator's Role
The BCER is responsible for overseeing aspects of geothermal operations in British Columbia.
Geothermal wells
The Geothermal Operations Regulation, under the Geothermal Resources Act (GRA), outlines how the BCER manages geothermal wells. Key requirements include:
- Well positioning and spacing
- Notification procedures
- Safety measures
- Surface and subsurface equipment standards
- Data collection and monitoring
Geothermal facilities, pipelines, and ancillary activities
Pipelines and facilities associated with geothermal operations are regulated by the BCER under the Energy Resource Activities Act (ERAA).
In addition, the BCER oversees ancillary activities that support geothermal development (e.g., land access permits, timber harvesting) through delegated authority from relevant government ministries.
What infrastructure exists in B.C.?
The first geothermal exploration wells were drilled in 1974. As of July 2025, the BCER maintains oversight of 135 geothermal well authorizations, including a number of wells drilled for research purposes prior to the BCER becoming the regulator for geothermal activities.