BCHydro

A man walks a dog after an overnight snowfall in Vancouver, B.C., Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Arctic outflow leads to new record for peak electricity demand: BC Hydro

BC Hydro recommends turning off heat when no one is home to save on power bills

A man walks a dog after an overnight snowfall in Vancouver, B.C., Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
BC Hydro Construction Manager Bill Wright, MLA Michele Babchuck, BC Hydro CEO Chris O’Riley, and BC Hydro Stakeholder Engagement Advisor Stephen Watson gather at John Hart Dam in Campbell River on Dec. 17. Ronan O’Doherty/ Campbell River Mirror

BC Hydro launches major seismic upgrade for Island dam

BC Hydro CEO visits Campbell River’s John Hart Dam ahead of seismic upgrade project

BC Hydro Construction Manager Bill Wright, MLA Michele Babchuck, BC Hydro CEO Chris O’Riley, and BC Hydro Stakeholder Engagement Advisor Stephen Watson gather at John Hart Dam in Campbell River on Dec. 17. Ronan O’Doherty/ Campbell River Mirror
B.C. Hydro outage map, Dec. 18, 2021. (B.C. Hydro)

Winter storm leaves thousands in B.C. without power

Outages can be reported to B.C. Hydro at 1-800-BCHYDRO (1-800-224-9376)

B.C. Hydro outage map, Dec. 18, 2021. (B.C. Hydro)
The outage is now affecting 3,779 people. Almost 5,000 were left without power during the initial outage. (BC Hydro photo)

Areas of Golden to remain without power for another night

Kicking Horse will be closed due to the outage

The outage is now affecting 3,779 people. Almost 5,000 were left without power during the initial outage. (BC Hydro photo)
With more people planning to visit this holiday season, BC Hydro advises being mindful about energy consumption. Pictured here, Christmas lights on Fraser Highway in Langley City. (Black Press file)

With more people planning Christmas gatherings, mind energy use, says BC Hydro

COVID-19 health order saw a drop in energy usage Christmas evening in 2020, Hydro says

With more people planning to visit this holiday season, BC Hydro advises being mindful about energy consumption. Pictured here, Christmas lights on Fraser Highway in Langley City. (Black Press file)
B.C. was severely impacted by flooding during the storm that occurred from Nov. 13 to 15. More heavy rains are in the forecast this week. (Black Press Media file photo)

Incoming storms expected to bring outages, rising waters: BC Hydro

South Coast, Vancouver Island are bracing for more bad weather

B.C. was severely impacted by flooding during the storm that occurred from Nov. 13 to 15. More heavy rains are in the forecast this week. (Black Press Media file photo)
Several BC Hydro outages have left Greater Victoria residents without power Nov. 15. (Black Press Media file photo)

50,000 without power across southern Vancouver Island

Thousands of people, multiple businesses without power across region

Several BC Hydro outages have left Greater Victoria residents without power Nov. 15. (Black Press Media file photo)
Clocks in Tofino and Ucluelet got off to a slow start last week as BC Hydro crews worked to repair a transmission line connecting the West Coast to the rest of the Vancouver Island power grid. (Andrew Bailey photo)

BC Hydro work slows clocks in Tofino and Ucluelet

West Coast clocks are back on their usual 60-second-per-minute pace after a slow start last week

Clocks in Tofino and Ucluelet got off to a slow start last week as BC Hydro crews worked to repair a transmission line connecting the West Coast to the rest of the Vancouver Island power grid. (Andrew Bailey photo)
Storm watchers take in the waves off Ucluelet. (Westerly file photo)

Storm warning: B.C. West Coast prepares as best it can for inevitable rough weather

BC Hydro ready as La Nina returns, with expected intensified winds and rainfall

Storm watchers take in the waves off Ucluelet. (Westerly file photo)
Electronics plugs are seen on a power bar in Toronto on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2018. A report from British Columbia’s main electricity distributor says many B.C. residents are “misinformed” about the most efficient and cost effective ways to reduce their carbon footprint. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Giordano Ciampini

BC Hydro report says residents unaware of best choices when cutting carbon footprint

Survey finds many are “misinformed” about the most efficient and cost-effective choices

Electronics plugs are seen on a power bar in Toronto on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2018. A report from British Columbia’s main electricity distributor says many B.C. residents are “misinformed” about the most efficient and cost effective ways to reduce their carbon footprint. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Giordano Ciampini
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. Residents across British Columbia are being advised to prepare a well-stocked emergency kit in advance of what BC Hydro warns could be a stormy fall and winter made worse by the effects of the severe summer drought. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Drought-weakened trees, fall storms could mean more power outages: BC Hydro

Conditions mirror those in 2015 and 2018, when the utility was hit by its two most damaging storms

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. Residents across British Columbia are being advised to prepare a well-stocked emergency kit in advance of what BC Hydro warns could be a stormy fall and winter made worse by the effects of the severe summer drought. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Island Generation, a 275-megawatt natural gas-fired power plant in Campbell River. Photo courtesy Capital Power.

BC Hydro planning future without Vancouver Island’s largest gas fired power plant

Campbell River Island Generation plant’s electricity agreement expiring in 2022; renewal in doubt

Island Generation, a 275-megawatt natural gas-fired power plant in Campbell River. Photo courtesy Capital Power.
A swimmer swims in an unauthorized area at Comox Dam. Photo courtesy BC Hydro

Public risking lives on BC Hydro facilities pursuing perfect selfies

Incidents range from climbing transmission towers to swimming in restricted areas at dam sites

A swimmer swims in an unauthorized area at Comox Dam. Photo courtesy BC Hydro
A pyrocumulus cloud, also known as a fire cloud, forms in the sky as the Tremont Creek wildfire burns on the mountains above Ashcroft, B.C., on Friday, July 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

BC Hydro keeping eye on large wildfire burning near transmission line

The Brenda Creek wildfire in Central Okanagan is still classified as out of control

A pyrocumulus cloud, also known as a fire cloud, forms in the sky as the Tremont Creek wildfire burns on the mountains above Ashcroft, B.C., on Friday, July 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The water level at the Upper Campbell Reservoir behind Strathcona Dam (lefthand side of picture) is currently rising slowly, BC hydro says but it is forecasted to be in the low end of expected recreation target range due to drier than average conditions. This photo was taken in mid-March. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror

BC Hydro probing if damaged submarine cable, oil leak caused by June heatwave

The energy corporation said the cable has been taken out of service and repairs are underway

The water level at the Upper Campbell Reservoir behind Strathcona Dam (lefthand side of picture) is currently rising slowly, BC hydro says but it is forecasted to be in the low end of expected recreation target range due to drier than average conditions. This photo was taken in mid-March. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror
BC Hydro released a survey Thursday, April 22. It found that many British Columbians are unintentionally contributing to climate change with their yard maintenance choices. (Pixabay)

Spend a lot of time doing yard work? It might be contributing to climate change

Recent BC Hydro survey finds 60% of homeowners still use gas-powered lawnmowers and yard equipment

BC Hydro released a survey Thursday, April 22. It found that many British Columbians are unintentionally contributing to climate change with their yard maintenance choices. (Pixabay)
Results, first published March 12, say 20 per cent of homeowners who conducted renovations regret focusing solely on aesthetic upgrades. (Pixabay)

20% of B.C. homeowners regret 2020 renovations: report

More than half surveyed say they’ve made upgrades to their home since last March

Results, first published March 12, say 20 per cent of homeowners who conducted renovations regret focusing solely on aesthetic upgrades. (Pixabay)
Site C will go ahead, one year later and $5.3 billion more, the NDP announced Feb 26. (BC Hydro image)

B.C. to go ahead with Site C dam, with new $16B budget and delayed to 2025

Reviews recommend more oversight, beefed up foundation stability work

Site C will go ahead, one year later and $5.3 billion more, the NDP announced Feb 26. (BC Hydro image)
From bedrooms being too hot to too cold to blanket thieves, B.C. couples had their share of complaints according to a recent BC Hydro survey. (Pixabay photo)

Some B.C. couples admit to sleeping in separate rooms over temperature: survey

Even retreating under the covers can’t spare some B.C. couples from temperature issues

From bedrooms being too hot to too cold to blanket thieves, B.C. couples had their share of complaints according to a recent BC Hydro survey. (Pixabay photo)
Christmas may be over, but many B.C. neighbourhoods are still shining bright with the glimmer of holiday decorations and lights into 2021. (Black Press Media files)

British Columbians keep Christmas lights on past holidays to combat ‘COVID-19 blues’

One-third of households have kept their holiday decorations on display in 2021: B.C. Hydro survey

Christmas may be over, but many B.C. neighbourhoods are still shining bright with the glimmer of holiday decorations and lights into 2021. (Black Press Media files)