Replacing BC Hydro's aging power poles
VANCOUVER – BC Hydro is advising Vancouver, Burnaby, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Richmond, Coquitlam, Surrey, Langley, Victoria and Prince George residents that crews will be replacing power poles in their regions over the next several months. The work is part of BC Hydro’s ongoing maintenance program that will see the replacement of more than 10,000 distribution poles this year throughout the province. BC Hydro’s system includes 56,000 kilometres of distribution lines that require about 900,000 wooden poles to deliver electricity to homes and businesses.
Over time, wooden poles weaken due to adverse weather, insects and wildlife. BC Hydro regularly inspects the old poles and invests in new poles to maintain safety and strengthen the reliability of the electrical system. More than 20 per cent of BC Hydro’s wooden poles are older than 40 years and reaching the end of life.
Pole replacement typically will not require BC Hydro to disconnect power. Crews take special care to avoid any unnecessary impacts to customers, however if outages need to be scheduled, BC Hydro will notify customers.
Crews have begun digging and setting poles in the communities listed above and the work should be complete by the end of the summer.
About BC Hydro
BC Hydro has been providing clean, reliable power to British Columbians for more than 50 years while maintaining among the lowest rates in North America. BC Hydro is a provincial Crown corporation that serves 1.9 million customers and invests in the electrical system and in energy conservation to deliver a safe and reliable supply of electricity for today’s customers and for generations to come.
For more information please contact:
BC Hydro Media Relations
p. 604.928.6468
