Charges and fees for electrical connections
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.
Costs to get connected
To connect your property to our electrical system – or modify an existing connection – you'll need to pay a connection charge. When we review your request, if we already have secondary service (750 V or less) in the area readily available for you to connect to, you'll only need to pay a standard charge. Standard charges vary by service type.
If secondary service isn't readily available or if it's not feasible for your project, we'll need to add electrical service extensions to the new infrastructure. These extensions come with additional fees.
On this page:
- Charges for electrical service connections
- Charges for meters
- Charges for street light service
- Other charges
Electrical service connections
The charges listed apply to both overhead and underground service for new connections, temporary services, upgrades and alternations with new wire/cable. They cover the cost of the wire/cable between the existing BC Hydro infrastructure and your meter base, but do not include meter installation.
Single-phase power is commonly provided in residences and retail commercial buildings, whereas three-phase power is typically provided to larger commercial and industrial customers. See the electrical connection requests glossary to learn more.
Customers may be eligible for BC Hydro’s maximum contribution to offset service connection costs when wire/cable charges apply. For more information, see Distribution Extension Policy changes.
Minimum charges for overhead service
Service |
Single-phase |
Three-phase |
|---|---|---|
Up to 200 amps |
$880 plus GST | $980 plus GST |
Greater than 200 amps, up to 400 amps |
$1,370 plus GST | $1,570 plus GST |
Greater than 400 amps, up to 600 amps |
$1,610 plus GST | Based on estimate |
Alteration of existing wire |
$820 plus GST | $820 plus GST |
Electrical connections outside of BC Hydro's regular working hours may incur additional costs.
Minimum charges for underground service
Service |
Single-phase |
Three-phase |
|---|---|---|
Up to 200 amps |
$1,400 plus GST | $1,520 plus GST |
Greater than 200 amps, up to 400 amps |
$2,600 plus GST | $2,950 plus GST |
Greater than 400 amps, up to 600 amps |
$3,530 plus GST | Based on estimate |
Alteration of existing wire |
$820 plus GST | $820 plus GST |
Electrical connections outside of BC Hydro's regular working hours may incur additional costs.
Meters
Minimum charges for metering work
Meter request |
Cost |
|---|---|
Installed outside of service connection |
$262 plus GST |
Installed at the same time as service connection |
$64 plus GST |
$262 plus GST
$262 plus GST
$840 plus GST (includes meter and wiring installation)
$1,710 plus GST
$1,060 plus GST and the depreciated fixture cost
Street light age (years) |
Depreciated fixture cost |
|---|---|
| 0 | $1,150 plus GST |
| 1 | $1,096 plus GST |
| 2 | $1,042 plus GST |
| 3 | $987 plus GST |
| 4 | $932 plus GST |
| 5 | $878 plus GST |
| 6 | $824 plus GST |
| 7 | $770 plus GST |
| 8 | $715 plus GST |
| 9 | $661 plus GST |
| 10 | $607 plus GST |
| 11 | $552 plus GST |
| 12 | $498 plus GST |
| 13 | $444 plus GST |
| 14 | $389 plus GST |
| 15 | $335 plus GST |
| 16 | $281 plus GST |
| 17 | $226 plus GST |
| 18 | $172 plus GST |
| 19 | $117 plus GST |
| 20 | $63 plus GST |
| 21 | $55 plus GST |
| 22 | $48 plus GST |
| 23 | $40 plus GST |
| 24 | $32 plus GST |
| 25 | $24 plus GST |
| 26 | $17 plus GST |
| 27 | $9 plus GST |
If the site and/or equipment isn't ready when our crews arrive, and we have to come back another time.
Cost |
|---|
$351 plus GST |
Charge Type |
Cost |
|---|---|
Standard reconnection charge after non-pay |
$30 plus GST per meter |
Manual - overtime reconnection charge after non-pay |
$280 plus GST per meter |
Access refusal reconnection charge after non-pay |
$700 plus GST per meter |