Keeping your rates low
New meters create a more efficient power system and reduce loss; it's an investment that pays for itself.
The program will pay for itself. There will be savings and efficiencies from reduced wasted electricity, reduced electricity theft and operating efficiencies that will help to keep your rates among the lowest in North America.
In fact, the $930 million investment in the Smart Metering Program will deliver $1.6 billion in savings to our customers over the next 20 years.
Restoring your power faster
In the event of a power outage, your new meter will let us know immediately, so we can restore your power faster.
Today, BC Hydro typically doesn't know that your power is out unless you call us. With the new meters, we will know exactly when the power goes out and where it has occurred – down to the household.
Less time looking for the cause of a power outage means that we can locate and fix the problem quicker, getting your lights back on faster and safer.
Giving you the power to conserve
Our new meters will enable new conservation tools, like your secure BC Hydro online account and optional in-home devices that will provide you with up-to-date information about your power use.
Knowing how you use energy can help you conserve by putting you and your family in control of your power use. Research has shown that these new tools can help you conserve up to 15 per cent of your energy, saving you money on your BC Hydro bill.
More energy choices for you
With a more modern system, you can invest in solar panels or other clean sources of power, sell excess power back to BC Hydro, or draw electricity from your electric vehicle during a power outage.
The new smart metering system will start to transform our electricity grid from a one-way system to a two-way system. That means the new system will be able to accommodate new sources of clean renewable energy that contribute to better air quality and improved energy sustainability for everyone in B.C. Investing in our electricity system is integral to a sustainable energy future.
New meters will also support our growing economy, the increased demand for electricity and create new opportunities and jobs in the green energy field.
