Strategic Plan

Goal

The primary strategic goal of the Northern Bioenergy Partnership is to develop a bioenergy "centre of excellence" for the Province of BC by communicating, coordinating and catalyzing the growth of the forest-based bioenergy sector. Our success will be measured by jobs, investment and the region's contribution to climate change objectives through the sustainable use of forest biomass to drive the deliberate growth of the bioenergy industry in Northern BC.

Objectives

Develop and foster partnerships among industry, researchers, policy makers, post-secondary institutions and communities (Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal).
Provide leadership at a regional, provincial and national level to drive policy objectives that support industry advancement and business development in Northern BC.
Cultivate technological innovation and commercialization through university-industry-public sector research partnerships.
Develop the capacity to implement and adapt technologies developed elsewhere to the specific end needs of Northern BC industry and communities.
Enable sustainable economic development and market growth by leveraging business and industry expertise, and building on and diversifying existing technological platforms.
Promote the economic, environmental and community benefits to Northern BC that will result from a vibrant and sustainable bioenergy industry.

Strategies

The following strategies will be used to achieve the stated goals and objectives:

Market Growth and Integration

By supporting an integrated network of bioenergy sector participants, the NBP can be a catalyst for the region's economic growth within the global market for bioenergy and bioproducts. Coordinated messaging and marketing of the region's capacities will promote the interests of stakeholders in the region by attracting additional capital, labour and technology, thereby fostering growth. Integration of aligned interests through affiliation with the Partnership will bring a combined weight to market penetration that no single interest could achieve alone. Information sharing and strategic relationships among partners may open up greater capital resourcing opportunities.

Community Capacity for Bioenergy Utilization

Bioenergy has the potential to displace fossil-fuel utilization in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities, thus supporting goals for renewable energy self-sufficiency across Northern BC. However, Northern BC communities are distanced by geography and have limited capacity to implement new technologies. By creating an environment of information exchange and fostering the conditions for biomass utilization on a local and regional scope, the NBP will help communities and companies implement renewable energy strategies that are scalable to their need and matched to their resources.

Economic Sustainability

An acknowledged strength of the Northern BC economy is that it is resource rich. It is also resource dependent. In order for it to remain economically sustainable into the future, the region must continue to diversify the range and grow the depth of integrated resource development investment. Most importantly the knowledge-based component of resource development in the region must increase, which is why university-industry relationships are a critical outcome of the NBP's business plan. Fostering the growth of a vibrant and competitive forest-based bioenergy sector in Northern BC can improve economic diversification because it offers the opportunity to increase per unit value from the forest land-base, especially that impacted by the mountain pine beetle, by creating a range of outputs to meet the growing demand for renewable energy.

Research and Development

If the backbone of next generation bioenergy is industry innovation, the nerve centre is research and development. The University of Northern BC has set carbon neutrality as part of its goal to become "Canada’s Green University". Part of its strategic direction includes integrating bioenergy into its operations, as well as into its curriculum and research. By working collaboratively via industry-university partnerships in applied research, and by supporting research and education programs driven by the needs of industry and Northern BC communities, UNBC and the NBP can drive commercialization through increased research and development capacity.

Policy Influence

The Province of BC has developed a BC Energy Plan and a BC Bioenergy Strategy. It has begun to implement them, including developing "green" and "bioenergy" calls for power via BC Hydro. The Premier's Green Energy Task Force is also conducting important work that will contribute to the development of British Columbia as a national leader in green energy. Nonetheless, the policy framework that needs to be developed in order to truly support an integrated bioenergy industry is still in early stages of development. The NBP, by working collaboratively with industry, community, academia and government, can influence the pace and direction of policy so that it truly facilitates the creation of a bioeconomy that has participation from all parts of the province and from the full spectrum of industry and community.

Reputation and Leadership

Northern BC has a reputation as a leader and an innovator in the knowledge-based resource industries of yesterday and today. In fact, companies in the north have been involved for decades in the emerging bioenergy industry. The NBP can be a vehicle to communicate existing strengths in the strategic development of an integrated bioenergy industry from multiple value streams. Northern BC has the potential to further develop its reputation as a leader in Canada and the world in the creation of a sustainable bioeconomy.