Out with the pole in with the new: BC Hydro to begin annual pole replacements
VANCOUVER – BC Hydro crews will hit the streets once again this year to replace aging power poles. The work is part of BC Hydro's ongoing maintenance program that will see the replacement of more than 10,000 wooden distribution poles over the next few months across the province.
Power poles are kind of like people. After about 40-50 years of work, on average, they are ready to retire. Adverse weather, insects and wildlife all contribute to the deterioration of the poles over time.
This year the highest number of wood poles will be replaced in the city of Victoria, followed closely by Sechelt. Other high replacement areas include Fort St. John, North Vancouver and Salmon Arm.
BC Hydro maintains and operates a vast and complex electrical system in B.C. which includes 900,000 wooden poles that hold more than 58,000 kilometres of overhead distribution lines and 278,000 overhead transformers. Replacing power poles is one of the investments BC Hydro is making in aging infrastructure to improve the safety and reliability of the electricity system.
To ensure the safety of our crews and the public, BC Hydro may need to disconnect power when replacing aging power poles. Crews will notify customers in-person, by mail or phone about these scheduled outages for maintenance.
Contact:
BC Hydro Media Relations
p. 604 928 6468