BCHydro

The Arrow Lakes generating station/Hugh Keenleyside Dam. (photo courtesy Wikipedia)

Low snowpack raises power generation questions, BC Hydro says it is prepared

Power authority says it is managing its resources with drought concerns foremost in mind

  • Mar 25, 2024

 

Waves wash over Dallas Road and storm watchers in Victoria on Jan. 9, 2024. Environment Canada issued wind warnings for much of coastal B.C. on March 9. (Jake Romphf/Black Press Media)

BC Hydro restoring power after wind storm leaves thousands in the dark

Wind warnings remain in effect for much of southern coast

 

People watch as a car tries to drive down an icy hill in Vancouver on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. Weather warnings for cold temperatures have been advised in B.C. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Cold snap causes record-breaking hourly electricity demand, says BC Hydro

British Columbians consumed 11,300 megawatts in one hour Friday night

 

WorkSafeBC has fined BC Hydro more than $700,000, stemming from a July 2022 inspection at a Site C dam powerhouse in Fort St. John. (BC Hydro/Screencap)

BC Hydro facing $710K fine for damaged ventilation equipment at Site C Dam

There were also deficiencies with steps to address welding fume hazards: WorkSafeBC

WorkSafeBC has fined BC Hydro more than $700,000, stemming from a July 2022 inspection at a Site C dam powerhouse in Fort St. John. (BC Hydro/Screencap)
FILE - The Wish Upon A Star House, located at 19367 62A Ave., wass decorated with “COVID-friendly” displays for taking pictures in December 2020. (Lauren Collins)

More British Columbians decorate for Halloween than Christmas, BC Hydro says

About 7% say they ‘overtly or covertly’ compete with their neighbours for the best display

FILE - The Wish Upon A Star House, located at 19367 62A Ave., wass decorated with “COVID-friendly” displays for taking pictures in December 2020. (Lauren Collins)
BC Hydro president Chris O’Riley speaks during a news conference in Vancouver, on Thursday, June 22, 2023. The British Columbia government says the province’s Crown power utility is applying for a 2.3-per-cent rate increase that would start next April and add about $2 per month to the average residential customer’s bill. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Hydro wants B.C. residents to pay an extra $2 a month for electricity

BC Hydro says new rates would still be among lowest in North America

BC Hydro president Chris O’Riley speaks during a news conference in Vancouver, on Thursday, June 22, 2023. The British Columbia government says the province’s Crown power utility is applying for a 2.3-per-cent rate increase that would start next April and add about $2 per month to the average residential customer’s bill. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
BC Hydro says this summer’s dry weather and wildfires could lead to more power outages this storm season. (BC Hydro)

More outages possible this storm season due to drought: BC Hydro

More than half of all power outages are cause by trees and bad weather

BC Hydro says this summer’s dry weather and wildfires could lead to more power outages this storm season. (BC Hydro)
The health and stability of the lake shore are crucial to the survival of kokanee salmon. Photo: Jim Bailey

B.C. hydro companies, feds accused of ignoring kokanee salmon in Kootenays

Groups say BC Hydro and FortisBC have violated Fisheries Act for decades

The health and stability of the lake shore are crucial to the survival of kokanee salmon. Photo: Jim Bailey
BC Hydro set a new record for peak hourly demand Monday night (Aug. 14) as temperatures soared across the province, which had British Columbians turning to air conditioners and fans in an effort to beat the heat. (Black Press Media file photo)

BC Hydro breaks record for hourly electricity demand in August

Spokesperson says it was just 200 megawatts less than all-time record during 2021 heat dome

BC Hydro set a new record for peak hourly demand Monday night (Aug. 14) as temperatures soared across the province, which had British Columbians turning to air conditioners and fans in an effort to beat the heat. (Black Press Media file photo)
An electric vehicle is charged in Ottawa on Wednesday, July 13, 2022. BC Hydro wants to raise rates at public electric vehicle charging stations by 15 per cent from Sept. 1, which the company says would allow it to recover the costs of providing them over 10 years. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

BC Hydro bids to raise EV charging fees

The Crown corporation wants to raise rates by 15% from Sept. 1, but customers say time-based fees are unfair

An electric vehicle is charged in Ottawa on Wednesday, July 13, 2022. BC Hydro wants to raise rates at public electric vehicle charging stations by 15 per cent from Sept. 1, which the company says would allow it to recover the costs of providing them over 10 years. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
BC Hydro CEO Chris O’Riley discusses the Crown corporation’s electrification plans with Greater Victoria business and community leaders at a Chamber of Commerce event on June 28. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

Electrification and more needed in all sectors, BC Hydro CEO says

Energy efficiency and fuel alternatives will have a role in meeting GHG targets, he says

BC Hydro CEO Chris O’Riley discusses the Crown corporation’s electrification plans with Greater Victoria business and community leaders at a Chamber of Commerce event on June 28. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)
B.C’s Health Minister Adrian Dix, here seen in Surrey, has announced $10 million for 8,000 air-conditioners for vulnerable populations. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. cranks up $10 million for 8,000 air conditioners for vulnerable citizens

Units will be provided through a BC Hydro application process over the next 3 years

B.C’s Health Minister Adrian Dix, here seen in Surrey, has announced $10 million for 8,000 air-conditioners for vulnerable populations. (Black Press Media file photo)
BC Hydro CEO Chris O’Riley reads a statement about February’s underground electrical vault explosion, during a news conference in Vancouver, on Thursday, June 22, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

BC Hydro was warned vault was dangerous years before Vancouver explosion

BC Hydro president Chris O’Riley apologizes for February blast

BC Hydro CEO Chris O’Riley reads a statement about February’s underground electrical vault explosion, during a news conference in Vancouver, on Thursday, June 22, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
12,000 BC Hydro customers without power north of Kamloops. (BC Hydro)

More than 12K BC Hydro customers without power in Kamloops, Clearwater, Valemount

Transmission circuit failure is to blame for the outage

12,000 BC Hydro customers without power north of Kamloops. (BC Hydro)
A portable air conditioner should be ‘energy star’ certified, BC Hydro says. (Black Press Media file photo)

Stay cool: British Columbians break record for electricity use in May heat

BC Hydro says peak power use still two-thirds less than during coldest day of winter

A portable air conditioner should be ‘energy star’ certified, BC Hydro says. (Black Press Media file photo)
The landscape is dotted with power lines and poles as smoke from wildfires burning in the area fills the air while motorists travel on the Trans-Canada Highway near Walhachin, B.C., on Thursday, July 15, 2021. BC Hydro is expecting potentially record-breaking demand on the power system as the province enters what is forecast to be a blistering heat wave. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

BC Hydro predicting record-breaking power usage as heat descends on the province

Power company says its system can meet the additional demand

The landscape is dotted with power lines and poles as smoke from wildfires burning in the area fills the air while motorists travel on the Trans-Canada Highway near Walhachin, B.C., on Thursday, July 15, 2021. BC Hydro is expecting potentially record-breaking demand on the power system as the province enters what is forecast to be a blistering heat wave. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
As construction of Site C continues, the B.C. Utilities Commission has approved BC Hydro’s 2023 to 2025 rates application. The general rate changes are “primarily due to increases in BC Hydro’s finance charges, amortization, operating costs, taxes, and Site C coming into service. (Photo courtesy of BC Hydro)

Utilities commission approves rate changes for BC Hydro

BCUC still needs to review two outstanding issues

As construction of Site C continues, the B.C. Utilities Commission has approved BC Hydro’s 2023 to 2025 rates application. The general rate changes are “primarily due to increases in BC Hydro’s finance charges, amortization, operating costs, taxes, and Site C coming into service. (Photo courtesy of BC Hydro)
Finley Fulford, 6, stands on a BC Hydro bucket truck during a recent surprise visit. This bright young man from Agassiz is obsessed with all thing BC Hydro, beginning his illustrious career at age 3. (Photo/BC Hydro)

VIDEO: Agassiz BC Hydro superfan, age 6, surprised with visit from line tech crew

Young Finley Fulford is obsessed with his ‘career’ as a lineman

Finley Fulford, 6, stands on a BC Hydro bucket truck during a recent surprise visit. This bright young man from Agassiz is obsessed with all thing BC Hydro, beginning his illustrious career at age 3. (Photo/BC Hydro)
BC Hydro said it is taking reports of increased power grid attacks in the U.S. seriously, and has enhanced the security of its infrastructure in response. (Black Press Media file photo)

BC Hydro taking ‘additional steps’ to protect grid after string of U.S. attacks

The power utility said it can’t go into details of what security enhancements have been made

BC Hydro said it is taking reports of increased power grid attacks in the U.S. seriously, and has enhanced the security of its infrastructure in response. (Black Press Media file photo)
British Columbians once again topped the province’s power consumption record on Wednesday evening (Dec. 21), for the second time in one week. The above-normal use comes amidst a severe cold snap. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

Electricity-use record broken for 2nd time in 1 week as B.C tries to stay warm

Consumption around dinner time Wednesday (Dec. 21) hit over 10,900 megawatts

British Columbians once again topped the province’s power consumption record on Wednesday evening (Dec. 21), for the second time in one week. The above-normal use comes amidst a severe cold snap. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)