Payment options for design connection projects

On this page:

• Authorization form
• Ways to pay
• Payment error and correction
• Invoices and receipts

First, complete the authorization form

To start a new design connection project, you'll need to create a separate BC Hydro payment account. This account is specifically for design and construction costs and is different from your regular monthly electricity bill.

This form identifies who's responsible for paying the costs of design, construction, and other related charges. It also specifies where to send invoices and payment receipts. Our distribution design team must receive your completed form before any invoicing or payment can occur.

We understand that larger projects can take several years to complete and circumstances can change. To avoid any issues or delays, please don't sign up as an individual if you're representing a company or business. Instead, have the person responsible for making payments or an authorized representative of the business sign the authorization form.

To set up this payment account, please complete and submit an authorization form [PDF, 122 KB] for each project. Once completed, upload this form to your project in MyHydro or as directed by our team for invoicing and payment to commence.

Changes to account holder or property owner

It's your responsibility to inform us if there's any change during the project to the location of the project site, ownership of the property, or the account holder responsible for invoicing and payment listed on your submitted authorization form.

A new authorization form [PDF, 122 KB] must be completed by the new account holder. We're not able to correct this information on invoices after they're issued.

Ways to pay

You can use any of the following options to pay for design deposits and construction costs, including design, material, and construction estimates. Please note that pre-authorized payment is not available.

If you have multiple projects with us, you'll receive a unique account number for each project to support online banking.

Ensure that all payments reference your project account number, which is noted at the top of your invoice under "Total due." This number is different from the design number and the invoice number.

Method 1: Online banking

Online banking is the most efficient and convenient way to pay for costs, making it the preferred payment method. Payments can be made at any time, are cleared faster, and are easily tracked. You'll also receive formal invoices as well as automated receipts within three business days after your payment is processed.

To get started, use your existing online banking access select "BC Hydro" as a payee and use the project account number shown on your invoice as the account. Please note this is different from the design number and the invoice number.

If your invoice amount exceeds your online banking payment limit you may be able to increase your limit, even temporarily, to facilitate your payment(s). Payment limits vary and typically are determined with your bank when you set up your account. Alternatively, you can bring the invoice(s) to your bank and pay directly from your account.

If you don't currently have access to online banking, please contact your financial institution to set this up first.

Method 2: In person at your bank

You can pay in person through your financial institution. Set "BC Hydro" as the payee and use the project account number shown on your invoice as the account. Please note this is different from the design number and the invoice number.

Method 3: By cheque

Payments by cheque may take up to 10 business days to process.

Payments should be made to BC Hydro. Please note that your local BC Hydro office won't accept payment for design projects. Payments must be mailed to the following address:

PO Box 9501 Station Terminal
Vancouver, B.C., V6B 4N1

Include in the cheque's memo or description section your project account number. Please note this is different from the design number and the invoice number.

Cheques cannot be post-dated. Please allow enough time for us to receive your payment by the due date shown on the invoice.

Method 4: Purchase order

Municipalities, government ministries, crown corporations, school districts, and other customers who have previously used this method, please ensure the following:

• Provide the correct billing address as it appears on all BC Hydro invoices and receipts.
• Continue to use the same unique account number and payment method.
• Consider the time required to obtain a purchase order from your organization to avoid project delays.

Payment error and correction

If you input an incorrect account number in your payment, you can email payments@bchydro.com or call 604 224 9376 or 1 800 224 9376 (toll free) to correct it.

To expedite the process, please use the subject line "Design Project Payment Trace" and include the following details:

• Payment date
• Payment amount
• Name of bank
• Payment method (online banking, in-person, or cheque)
• Incorrect account number used
• Correct account number that should be used

If the cheque was already cashed, you should provide the cashing date and include images of the front and back of the cheque, which can be downloaded from your bank account.

Invoices and receipts