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New BC Hydro customers

Opening a BC Hydro account to get electrical service at your home or business takes just a few steps.

Start by letting us know what type of electrical service you need, and where. Get started by selecting your service below and signing up online.

Open a new account for your home

Here’s the information that you’ll need:

  1. Create a MyHydro profile, which will allow you to manage your BC Hydro account online. If you already use MyHydro and need to open another BC Hydro account, you can log in and open a new account with your existing profile.
  2. Log in and select Open a new residential account.
  3. You'll need your new address, phone number, and your landlord’s name and contact information (if you're renting).
  4. Consider which rate plan you want for the account. Learn about residential rate plans.
  5. Note that a charge of $12.40 + GST for new accounts will appear on your first BC Hydro bill. Some accounts may also require a security deposit.

Open a new residential account

 

Open a new account for your business

Here’s the information that you’ll need:

  1. If you don't already manage existing BC Hydro accounts online, get started by signing up online.
  2. The complete business name, business address, and phone number.
  3. Contact name and phone number of someone that we can reach about the account.
  4. Your landlord’s name and phone number (if you're renting).
  5. Note that a charge of $12.40 + GST for new accounts will appear on your first BC Hydro bill. Some accounts may also require a security deposit.

Open a new business account

 

Add accounts for multiple business locations

Here’s the information that you’ll need:

  1. The complete business name, business address, and phone number for each location where you wish to open an account.
  2. Contact name and phone number of someone we can reach about the account.
  3. Your landlord’s name and phone number (if you're renting).
  4. Note that a charge of $12.40 + GST for each new account will appear on your first BC Hydro bill.

Add multiple business accounts

 

Fees for new accounts

There's a $12.40 + GST charge for setting up new accounts.

Security deposits for new electrical service

You may need to pay a security deposit to start electrical service at your home or business. Some reasons that we may require you to pay a security deposit include:

  • You have no credit history with BC Hydro.
  • We can't conduct an Equifax credit check.
  • An Equifax check shows a deposit is required.
  • You can't provide a reference letter from another utility.

The amount of the security deposit is different for each customer. It’s based on:

  • Your billing plan (e.g. whether you’re a residential or business customer).
  • A dollar amount that’s two or three times the estimated average monthly bill for your location.
  • The average monthly bills of similar dwellings where no historical consumption exists (e.g. for new buildings or homes).

The security deposit may be returned to you after two years of good payment history.

Waiving security deposits and reversing charges

In some cases, security deposits may be waived or reversed if a credit check is conducted and passed or if a credit reference letter is provided. The credit reference must be from another utility company (such as electric or gas utility, telephone, cellular or cable company) that confirms you have made on-time bill payments for 12 consecutive months.

To have a credit check performed, please contact us at 1 800 224 9376 and have your account number on hand. The security deposit may be returned to you after two years of good payment history.