Electric Plus
E-Plus is also known as Electric Plus and Dual Fuel Interruptible Electrical Service. E-Plus offered a reduced electricity rate for space and water heating, based on interruptible service. It was offered to customers between 1987 and 1990 when a surplus of hydro energy was available and when there was no access to natural gas on Vancouver Island.
There are approximately 13,000 customers on E-Plus (96 per cent are residential). Two-thirds of E-Plus customers are on Vancouver Island, 10 per cent on the North Shore or Sunshine Coast, 8 per cent in the Okanagan/Kootenays, 7 per cent in the Thompson/Shuswap, and 5 per cent in the North.
Rate Design Application
On March 15, 2007, BC Hydro filed a rate design application with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) that included proposed changes to our E-Plus program.
The application underwent a public review and on October 26, 2007, the BCUC issued its decision. The following table outlines BC Hydro's proposals for the E-Plus rate along with the BCUC decision.
| BC Hydro Proposal | BCUC Decision |
|---|---|
| Eliminate the E-Plus rate for new customers when there is a change of customer at an E-Plus premise. | Approved; effective April 1, 2008. |
| Eliminate the rate April 2018 following a 10-year notification period. | Denied. |
| Increase the E-Plus rate to two-thirds the standard rate over a five-year period beginning April 2008. | Denied. |
| Terminate the requirement that E-Plus customers must maintain a back-up heating system. | Denied. |
In addition, the BCUC directed BC Hydro to provide E-Plus service only in accordance with the terms and conditions that it is subject to.
What this means
Starting April 1, 2008, the E-Plus rate will not be available when there is a change in customer at an E-Plus premise. The new customer will then be billed at the standard rate.
Based on the BCUC decision, you will need to ensure that your back-up heating systems are in working order.
Your obligations
- You must continue to have an installed permanent back-up heating system, using an alternative fuel, or an installed independent electric generating system.
- The back-up heating system must be in good working order, with an adequate supply of fuel.
- The back-up heating system must be able to supply and replace all your heating needs provided under the E-Plus rate.
- You are able to update your back-up heating systems. However the heating systems attached to the E-Plus meter must be what was in place at the time the rate was closed in 1990.
- The E-Plus rate is for space heating and water heating so you must not connect any other unauthorized load to the E-Plus meter.
We will be writing to all E-Plus customers to inform them of the BCUC's decision.
May I get a copy of my signed contract?
Sorry, no – original documents have been archived. We can provide you with a copy of your residential agreement [PDF, 282 Kb] or general service (business) agreement [PDF, 294 Kb].
Commenting on E-Plus rate
BC Hydro sought the opinions of E-Plus and non E-Plus customers before coming up with any proposed changes. Feedback was collected through surveys, focus groups, at RDA workshops and in writing through letters and the online response form.
We would like to thank all customers who submitted their comments about the proposed filing. A summary of the comments received is included in the application to the BCUC. For convenience we have added the section here [PDF, 39 Kb].
Last Modified: May 9, 2009