Costs for design connection projects
New connection costs effective July 5, 2025
On March 5, 2025, the B.C. Utilities Commission approved our application to update our distribution extension policy to help streamline upgrades and reduce the cost of connecting new customers.
These changes are effective as of July 5, 2025. Learn more about our updated policy.
If we need to add infrastructure such as power lines, poles, and transformers, or increase the capacity of our system so you can receive electricity service from us, this requires electrical design and construction.
At different stages of the project, you may need to pay for the following:
Learn more about each of these costs below. If we don't need to add infrastructure to get you connected, see our charges for standard connections instead.
Deposits for design connection projects
We may need to collect a non-refundable deposit from you before we start design work.
See typical deposit amounts below. Exceptions will apply for very large projects or those that are difficult to scope.
Deposits for design connections
| Project type | Deposit amount |
|---|---|
Small-scale design projects
|
Waived |
Medium-scale design projects
|
$2,000 |
Large-scale design projects
|
$5,000 |
Making a deposit payment
You can pay the design connection project deposit via online banking (preferred), in-person at your bank, or by cheque. For more details, see payment options.
Before the design process begins, a design deposit invoice will be emailed to the account holder. The account holder is the person or company identified on the authorization form (see payment options) in your design services application.
Deposits are non-refundable. They’re collected before the design phase begins to cover the costs for preparing the design. If your project doesn’t proceed to the construction phase, the deposit won't be reimbursed.
Design deposits are exempt from GST.
Extension fees
The extension fee is your share of the cost to supply and install the infrastructure (poles, transformers, wire/cable, and underground conduit) along with other costs necessary to receive service from us. This fee is included in the construction costs on the construction invoice you’ll receive after the design work is done and will be collected before construction begins.
BC Hydro contributions
Your extension fee may be reduced by our contribution towards construction cost and any credits you may qualify for.
| Rate class | BC Hydro maximum contribution |
|---|---|
| Residential | $2,782 per single-family dwelling |
| General service | $518 per kW of estimated billing demand |
| Street lighting | $180 per fixture |
| Irrigation | $495 per kW of estimated billing demand |
For regulatory information about our extension fee policy, please read section 8 of our Electric Tariff [PDF, 1.4 MB]. BC Hydro maximum contribution amounts are subject to change and adjusted once every fiscal year as approved by the B.C. Utilities Commission.
Making a payment
You can pay for the construction invoice via online banking (preferred), in-person at your bank, or by cheque. For more details, see payment options.
Extension fee refund eligibility
If new customers connect to your extension within five years of the in-service date, you may be eligible for a refund. View refund eligibility and calculations:
- Extensions fees invoiced before July 5, 2025 [PDF, 3.1 MB]
- Extensions fees invoiced after July 5, 2025 [PDF, 3.1 MB]
To request a refund for extension fees invoiced before July 5, 2025, complete the customer extension fee refund application [PDF, 227 KB].
Financial assistance for homes and farms
We offer financial assistance toward the cost of electrical extensions to serve principal residences, principal residences on farms, services that are for the enjoyment and betterment of the community, and farm irrigation. View extension fee financial assistance eligibility [PDF, 806 KB].
Standard charges and fees
For secondary voltage (750V or less) electrical connections, you'll need to pay a standard charge for the installation of a meter and wire/cable between our infrastructure and your meter base, wiring or switch if applicable.
In some cases, this charge will be included as part of the construction costs in your invoice, but in other cases may be charged separately at the time of service connection.
View the list of standard charges and fees.
Guarantees
Some customers may need to provide a financial guarantee to ensure the contribution or funds provided by BC Hydro toward an extension or system improvement will be realized. For more information, please see the guarantee guide [PDF, 277 KB].
Refunds
Full or partial refunds for the fees listed above, excluding deposits, may be issued via cheque under the following circumstances:
- If there is a change in the project scope that reduces the original construction cost.
- If the project is cancelled.
- If the final cost estimate is lower than the deposit amount.
- If the estimated cost to the customer for construction of infrastructure owned by BC Hydro exceeds the estimated design and construction costs.
- If there is an overpayment due to a payment error.
Please note that refunds will only be issued to the account holder indicated on the authorization form submitted to BC Hydro.