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Transmission Rates

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Special notices such as rate increase

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Fiscal 2027 updates
Description

Effective April 1, 2026 (fiscal 2027), BC Hydro implemented several changes to transmission service rate schedules. These include the conclusion of RS 1823, adjustments to RS 1830, and the introduction of new optional time-of-use and critical peak pricing rate schedules.

A summary of changes effective April 1, 2026 is provided below.

Summary of Transmission Service tariff changes as of April 1, 2026 (fiscal 2027):

 

Rate schedule (RS) Key highlights
RS 1823: Stepped Rate
  • Rate is closed to all customers effective the end of the fiscal 2026 billing year. Any remaining RS 1823 customers were transitioned to RS 1830.
RS 1828: Biomass Energy Program
  • Revisions to RS 1828 are required because its pricing references the energy and demand charges in RS 1823, which were cancelled at the end of the fiscal 2026 billing year.
  • BC Hydro expects to obtain B.C. Utilities Commission approval by April 1, 2026 to maintain current pricing by continuing to apply RS 1823 rates, with future adjustments reflecting changes in BC Hydro's Revenue Requirements.
RS 1830: Flat Rate
  • New default Transmission Service rate schedule effective April 1, 2024.
  • Rate schedule 1830 is a flat rate structure with a lower energy charge and higher demand charge when compared to rate schedule 1823.
  • In fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2026, rate schedule 1830 includes three separate energy charges (A, B, and C). Beginning in fiscal 2027 (effective April 1, 2026), these will be consolidated into a single energy charge.
  • Refer to rate schedule details in the table below.
RS 1880: Standby and Maintenance Supply Rate
  • Energy charge amended to match RS 1830 energy charge.
RS 1891: Shore Power Service Rate
  • Energy charge amended to match RS 1830 energy charge.
RS 1892: Freshet Energy Rate
  • Eligibility amended so RS 1830 accounts can participate in RS 1892.
  • Existing baselines will continue to apply for customers that have previously participated in the freshet rate otherwise baselines will need to be determined.
RS 1894: Clean BC Industrial Electrification Clean Industry & Innovation Rate

RS 1895: Clean BC Industrial Electrification Fuel Switching Rate
  • Eligibility amended so RS 1830 accounts can participate in RS 1895.
  • RS 1830 energy and demand charges set as the basis for charges under RS 1894.
  • RS 1830 added to RS 1823 and RS 1828 as basis for energy and demand charges under RS 1895.
  • Both RS 1894 and RS 1895 are currently fully subscribed.
RS 2801: Transmission Service Time-of-Use
  • New optional Transmission Service rate schedule available effective April 1, 2026 (fiscal 2027).
  • Provides a lower energy charge during off‑peak seasons and times of day, and a lower demand charge, in exchange for a higher energy charge during on‑peak winter hours.
  • Spring energy charges are lower due to typical freshet energy availability and lower market prices in normal water years.
RS 2802: Transmission Service Time-of-Use with Modified Winter Demand
  • New optional Transmission Service rate schedule available effective April 1, 2026 (fiscal 2027).
  • Applies the same energy charges as RS 2801 but includes two separate demand charges:

    • A lower charge on the customer's highest kVA demand during the non‑peak period.

    • A higher charge on the customer's highest kVA demand during the on‑peak period.
RS 2821: Transmission Service Critical Peak Pricing
  • New optional Transmission Service rate schedule available effective April 1, 2026 (fiscal 2027).
  • Applies RS 1830 energy charges and provides a lower demand charge in all months, in exchange for a critical peak energy charge applied from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays (excluding statutory holidays) during up to 15 critical peak events per year (maximum 60 hours).
  • Critical peak pricing events must be called no later than 4 p.m. the previous day.
RS 2822: Transmission Service Critical Peak Pricing with Time-of-Use
  • New optional Transmission Service rate schedule available effective April 1, 2026 (fiscal 2027).
  • Applies the same critical peak energy charge and lower demand charge as RS 2821, but also incorporates time-of-use energy charges: lower energy charges during off‑peak seasons and times of day, and higher on‑peak winter energy charges on non‑critical peak days.

 

About transmission rates

Customers with transmission accounts use large amounts of energy and invest in electrical infrastructure that allows them to receive service at high voltage (60 kV or higher).

The Electric Tariff contains the approved terms and conditions of distribution voltage service provided by BC Hydro as well as the approved rates for service at distribution voltage and transmission voltage.
 

Rate schedule 1830

Minimum Charge

$12.178 per kVA of billing demand per billing period.

Demand Charge

Demand is measured by kilovolt amperes (kVA) over 30-minute intervals. The highest average 30-minute kVA in a billing period is used to calculate the demand charge on transmission bills.

$12.178 per kVA of billing demand.

Energy Charge

The energy charge applied to all kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy supplied during each billing period. Effective April 1, 2026, RS 1830 energy charges A, B, and C were consolidated into a single energy charge as part of BC Hydro's approved rate design for Fiscal 2027.

4.914 cents per kWh applied to all kWh.

Please note that in the event of differences between the details noted here and the official Electric Tariff issued by BC Hydro, the official Electric Tariff will prevail.