
The BC Utilities Commission has approved BC Hydro’s Optional Time-of-Use Rate for residential customers, which will launch sometime after April 1, 2024.
Residential customers who sign up for the new rate will either get an energy credit or additional charge per kilowatt (kWh) of electricity consumed. People who do not opt in will not see any changes to their rates.
Essentially, BC Hydro would charge five cents less per kilowatt-hour for any power used in the overnight hours – 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. – and five cents more for what is used during peak hours from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
“This new rate is expected to encourage participating customers to shift their electricity usage to times of the day when there is more capacity available, and defer capacity investments in BC Hydro’s system, as peak demand throughout the province is forecast to continue to increase,” a news release from the BCUC said.

Time of Use Rates. (Photo via BC Utilities Commission)
No credit or additional charge would be applied to electricity usage between 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m.
Current BC Hydro rates are a basic rate $0.2117 per day, with the first 1,376 kilowatt hours of electricity billed at $0.0975/kWh, and $0.1408 for each subsequent kWh.
“The Optional TOU Rate will be available to customers in BC Hydro’s integrated service area who have a smart meter, except for common areas of multiple occupancy buildings,” the news release added.
“The Optional TOU Rate will also be available to BC Hydro’s net metering customers for deliveries from BC Hydro only.”