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Demand response behavioural

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Manually shift your electricity use to earn rewards

Join our demand response behavioural (DRB) program to earn rewards for manually shifting some of your electricity use out of peak demand periods on our system. 

The offer

Demand response events are short periods of high demand on our system. If you shift your typical electricity use to before or after the event, you'll earn a reward.

You can earn $50 per average kilowatt (kW) demand reduction over the course of the season's events. The more you reduce or shift, the more you can earn.

How it works

Once you're registered for the program, we'll invite you to participate in demand response events throughout the season. 

Here's how they work: 

  1. Alert: We'll notify you via email at least 12 hours before each event. This allows you to plan when and how you'll shift or reduce your energy use.
  2. Shift: Shift your typical usage to before or after the event.
  3. Reward: If you're successful, you'll earn rewards for that event.

Other important info about events:

  • We'll call up to 20 demand response events per season.
  • Events last up to four hours each and may happen between 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

You can opt out of any event and will always remain in full control of your operations and energy usage.

Eligibility

  • Your business must be on our small general service (SGS), medium general service (MGS), large general service (LGS) rate or have designated BC Hydro Key Account Manager.
  • Your business must have operated at your current address for at least one year.
  • You'll need at least one dedicated person on staff who will receive and respond to events.
  • You can't use more of a carbon-intensive energy source (e.g. gas, diesel) as a way to reduce your BC Hydro electricity use.

How to apply

When you’re ready, log in to your business’ MyHydro account to apply.

Apply now

If you have questions about this program, contact your Key Account Manager or send us an email at demand.response@bchydro.com.

Review the customer manual for full program details.

Resources for specific sectors

The following printable resources are available to help specific sectors learn how to participate in and benefit from the DRB program: 

Frequently asked questions

Getting started

Can we participate in winter and summer?

  • The winter season runs from November 1 to March 31.
  • The summer season runs from June 1 to September 30. 

Summer season enrollment is only available for the following select areas where electricity use peaks in the summer:

  • Abbotsford
  • Campbell Heights (Neighbourhood in Surrey)
  • Hope
  • Maple Ridge
  • Mount Lehman
  • Northeast Fraser Valley region (Mission to Agassiz)
  • Port Coquitlam & Burke Mountain
  • Select neighbourhoods in Vancouver (West of Cambie)
  • Select communities between Kelowna and Vernon
  • Select neighbourhoods in Victoria • Sun Peaks (Surrounding areas)
  • Vernon
  • White Rock

If you're eligible for summer, you can enroll for summer, winter, or both.

When will events happen?

Demand response events are called based on the ever-changing conditions on our grid. There's no set schedule, though events are normally called between 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. and can last up to four hours. The majority of peaks on our grid are related to cold winter days and hot summer afternoons.

During an event

What happens during an event?

We'll email your listed key contact at least 12 hours before an event starts with the event time. This allows you to prepare to implement your demand response plan. During the event, follow your plan to adjust the operation of equipment within your facility and reduce electricity use.

How can we reduce usage during an event?

Many businesses have some flexibility in how they use electricity. This could be lowering or raising temperature setpoints on HVAC systems, delaying electric vehicle charging, or shifting specific processes in a plant to another time.

We also provide free coaching to help you identify opportunities to shift or reduce electricity use. Contact your Key Account Manager to access this resource.

Can we opt out?

Until September 30, 2025, you can opt out of an event by responding to the event notification you received by email at least two hours before the event is scheduled to start. From November 1, 2025 onwards, you can opt out of an event by increasing or not changing your energy consumption during an event. 

There are no direct penalties for opting out of an event. However, regularly opting out may affect your overall average performance for the season, and the incentive you could earn.

To leave the program, contact your Key Account Manager or email us at demand.response@bchydro.com. Withdrawal mid-season will forfeit any incentives earned that season.

Rewards and measurement

How are our results calculated?

To determine if you successfully reduced your energy usage, we'll compare your electricity usage during the event to your baseline usage. We calculate your baseline as your average electricity usage over the five eligible business days prior to the event.

When are rewards paid out?

At the end of each event season, your total rewards earned during the season will be applied as a rebate on your business' BC Hydro bill.