Accenture and BC Hydro Sign Pact

NEW YORK -- Accenture Ltd., the largest consulting firm in the world, said it signed an agreement with Canadian electricity producer BC Hydro worth nearly $1 billion over 10 years.

Under the pact, the companies will form a limited partnership called Accenture Business Services of British Columbia with more than 1,500 former BC Hydro employees.

BC Hydro, which has more than 1.8 million customers in British Columbia, will become the unit's first customer and outsource operations including customer service, information technology, financial systems and purchasing, the companies said.

In a joint statement, Bermuda-based Accenture and Vancouver-based BC Hydro said the plan will help BC Hydro cut costs and boost efficiency.

The deal marks the completion of a search process that BC Hydro began in 2001. Accenture Business Services of British Columbia will begin operations this spring, the companies said.

Source: Reuters