An industrial (Transmission) connection is typically required by customers needing a large connected load of 5,000 kW or more, where:

• The customer's facility has one or more large pieces of equipment at or over 2,000 hp
• The customer builds, owns, operates, and maintains its own electrical substation and transmission line, which is connected to BC Hydro's Transmission system

BC Hydro's Transmission line system has 69 kV, 138 kV and 230 kV voltages available for customer connection.

Transmission connections can take significant planning, design and construction time. We recommend that you contact the BC Hydro Load Interconnections Group early in the planning and design phase of your project:

• Call 1 866 453 6400 or 604 453 6400; or
• Send an email to customer.care.kam@bchydro.com; or
• Complete the Transmission Connection Information Request form [PDF, 255 KB] and fax it to 604 453 6280

Transmission service rates

BC Hydro Transmission customers are served under Tariff schedules 1823, 1827, 1853 and 1880 of the Electric Tariff manual [PDF, 2.4 MB].

Transmission interconnection process

Once you have initiated your request, BC Hydro will take the following steps:

Conceptual Review

BC Hydro provides high level comments on available transmission capacity, method to connect to the BC Hydro system, and potential system changes and upgrades involved.

Cost: No cost.
Timeline: 4-6 weeks

System Impact Study

BC Hydro conducts a study which investigates system impacts of connecting the customer's load and confirms connection options. The study also identifies facilities required, costs of these facilities, and timelines for those economically feasible options.

BC Hydro identifies how the costs are treated according to the Electric Tariff: either Basic Transmission Extension (BTE), System Reinforcement (SR) or a combination of both.

Cost: Customer pays full cost of study
Timeline: Average 3-5 months, depending on the complexity of project and resource availability.

Facilities Study

BC Hydro conducts a study which identifies detailed technical requirements for the selected interconnection option. It also provides a refined cost estimate and high-level project plan.

BC Hydro and the customer sign the Facilities Agreement (FA).

The customer submits all the documents required for a formal interconnection application.

The customer provides financial commitment such as cash payment for the Basic Transmission Extension (BTE) portion and security for the System Reinforcement (SR) portion.

Cost: Customer pays full cost of study
Timeline: Average 4-6 months, depending on the complexity of project and resource availability.

Implementation

BC Hydro implements interconnection work. This includes detailed design and engineering, procurement for major equipment, construction and commissioning of facilities.

BC Hydro revenue metering equipment is installed and prior to energization, BC Hydro and the customer sign the Electricity Supply Agreement (ESA).

A new billing account for the customer is set up and the connection is energized.

Cost: Customer must make full financial commitment for Basic Transmission Extension (BTE) and System Reinforcement (SR) prior to the implementation
Timeline: Average 6 months to three years, depending on the complexity of project and resource availability.