Statement: BC Utilities Commission approves BC Hydro’s new rate options

Press Release

Feb 25, 2025

VANCOUVER: On February 24, the BC Utilities Commission approved BC Hydro’s application to expand its rate options for residential customers, offering more billing choices and new opportunities to save money.

BC Hydro has been given the greenlight to expand an optional flat rate to all residential customers. The current residential rate structure features two-tier pricing, with a discounted energy charge (Step 1) for an initial amount of energy consumed, and a higher energy charge (Step 2) for consumption over a certain threshold. The new optional flat rate (in between the current Step 1 and Step 2 rates) can provide customers with a single charge as their electricity use increases by switching to clean electricity alternatives. Customers who choose this option could see average annual savings of around $60, depending on their individual energy use.

BC Hydro serves 14 Non-Integrated Area communities across B.C., primarily First Nations communities who have historically paid more for their electricity service because they are off-grid and served by higher cost diesel generators. To support equity and reconciliation, and with the advancement of clean electricity solutions in these communities, the BC Utilities Commission has also approved BC Hydro eliminating higher rates for residents living in Non-Integrated Areas that are not connected to BC Hydro’s electricity grid. This will help to reduce their bills by up to an average of $160 per year.

These changes build upon the optional time-of-day pricing which was launched in June 2024. This option combines two-tier energy charges with time-varying pricing. It provides residential customers with the opportunity to save money on their electricity bills by shifting their electricity use to times when there is more system capacity. This means if customers choose to shift their energy-intensive activities – like charging their electric vehicle or running their dishwasher or dryer – to off peak hours, they can save money. Customers with an electric vehicle, for example, could save an average of $60 and up to $125 per year by enrolling in this rate and charging their electric vehicle during overnight hours.

These changes will be effective April 1, 2025, and customers will be able to sign up for optional rates using their online BC Hydro account.

Contact:
BC Hydro Media Relations
Email: media@bchydro.com
Phone: 604 928 6468

IBF4