BCHydro

The landscape is dotted with power lines and poles as smoke from wildfires burning in the area fills the air while motorists travel on the Trans-Canada Highway near Walhachin, B.C., on Thursday, July 15, 2021. Residents across British Columbia are being advised to prepare a well-stocked emergency kit in advance of what BC Hydro warns could be a stormy fall and winter made worse by the effects of the severe summer drought. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Drought-weakened trees, fall storms could mean more power outages: BC Hydro

Conditions mirror those in 2015 and 2018, when the utility was hit by its two most damaging storms

 

A summer of heatwaves saw B.C. residents cranking the AC. (File photo)

B.C. residents using air conditioning more than ever to beat the heat: BC Hydro

After a record-breaking summer, British Columbians now consider air conditioning a necessity.

 

Only 40 per cent of British Columbians have AC installed in their home. (Photo by The Associated Press)

Office AC is what’s missed the most by those working from home: BC Hydro

B.C. has a ways to go to meet the national average for home air conditioners

 

A downed tree left more than 100 people in a Saanich neighbourhood without power Wednesday (Aug. 4) morning. (BC Hydro)

UPDATE: Power back up for more than 100 in Saanich neighbourhood

Downed tree left customers without power Wednesday morning

A downed tree left more than 100 people in a Saanich neighbourhood without power Wednesday (Aug. 4) morning. (BC Hydro)
A swimmer swims in an unauthorized area at Comox Dam. Photo courtesy BC Hydro

Public risking lives on BC Hydro facilities pursuing perfect selfies

Incidents range from climbing transmission towers to swimming in restricted areas at dam sites

A swimmer swims in an unauthorized area at Comox Dam. Photo courtesy BC Hydro
BC Hydro will be releasing three pulse flows of water from Elsie Lake Dam to assist steelhead migration down the Ash River. The first pulse will take place starting Aug. 10, 2021. (BC HYDRO PHOTO)

Public urged to be cautious on Ash River during August flow increases

Increased water flows from Elsie Dam will help steelhead migration starting Aug. 10

BC Hydro will be releasing three pulse flows of water from Elsie Lake Dam to assist steelhead migration down the Ash River. The first pulse will take place starting Aug. 10, 2021. (BC HYDRO PHOTO)
A pyrocumulus cloud, also known as a fire cloud, forms in the sky as the Tremont Creek wildfire burns on the mountains above Ashcroft, B.C., on Friday, July 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

BC Hydro keeping eye on large wildfire burning near transmission line

The Brenda Creek wildfire in Central Okanagan is still classified as out of control

A pyrocumulus cloud, also known as a fire cloud, forms in the sky as the Tremont Creek wildfire burns on the mountains above Ashcroft, B.C., on Friday, July 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The water level at the Upper Campbell Reservoir behind Strathcona Dam (lefthand side of picture) is currently rising slowly, BC hydro says but it is forecasted to be in the low end of expected recreation target range due to drier than average conditions. This photo was taken in mid-March. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror

BC Hydro probing if damaged submarine cable, oil leak caused by June heatwave

The energy corporation said the cable has been taken out of service and repairs are underway

The water level at the Upper Campbell Reservoir behind Strathcona Dam (lefthand side of picture) is currently rising slowly, BC hydro says but it is forecasted to be in the low end of expected recreation target range due to drier than average conditions. This photo was taken in mid-March. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror
BC Hydro released a survey Thursday, April 22. It found that many British Columbians are unintentionally contributing to climate change with their yard maintenance choices. (Pixabay)

Spend a lot of time doing yard work? It might be contributing to climate change

Recent BC Hydro survey finds 60% of homeowners still use gas-powered lawnmowers and yard equipment

BC Hydro released a survey Thursday, April 22. It found that many British Columbians are unintentionally contributing to climate change with their yard maintenance choices. (Pixabay)
Upstream view of Strathcona Dam taken on April 13. Water flows are being passed downstream through the two turbines with the Strathcona Generating Station. BC Hydro photo

Campbell River has third-lowest BC Hydro watershed levels in the province

Precipitation in February, March and April all notably below average so far

  • Apr 16, 2021
Upstream view of Strathcona Dam taken on April 13. Water flows are being passed downstream through the two turbines with the Strathcona Generating Station. BC Hydro photo
Results, first published March 12, say 20 per cent of homeowners who conducted renovations regret focusing solely on aesthetic upgrades. (Pixabay)

20% of B.C. homeowners regret 2020 renovations: report

More than half surveyed say they’ve made upgrades to their home since last March

Results, first published March 12, say 20 per cent of homeowners who conducted renovations regret focusing solely on aesthetic upgrades. (Pixabay)
Site C will go ahead, one year later and $5.3 billion more, the NDP announced Feb 26. (BC Hydro image)

B.C. to go ahead with Site C dam, with new $16B budget and delayed to 2025

Reviews recommend more oversight, beefed up foundation stability work

Site C will go ahead, one year later and $5.3 billion more, the NDP announced Feb 26. (BC Hydro image)
From bedrooms being too hot to too cold to blanket thieves, B.C. couples had their share of complaints according to a recent BC Hydro survey. (Pixabay photo)

Some B.C. couples admit to sleeping in separate rooms over temperature: survey

Even retreating under the covers can’t spare some B.C. couples from temperature issues

From bedrooms being too hot to too cold to blanket thieves, B.C. couples had their share of complaints according to a recent BC Hydro survey. (Pixabay photo)
Christmas may be over, but many B.C. neighbourhoods are still shining bright with the glimmer of holiday decorations and lights into 2021. (Black Press Media files)

British Columbians keep Christmas lights on past holidays to combat ‘COVID-19 blues’

One-third of households have kept their holiday decorations on display in 2021: B.C. Hydro survey

Christmas may be over, but many B.C. neighbourhoods are still shining bright with the glimmer of holiday decorations and lights into 2021. (Black Press Media files)
A rockfall Tuesday night on the Trans-Canada Highway in Goldstream Provincial Park has been cleared. (Emcon Services Inc./Twitter)

UPDATED: Road closures, power outages across Greater Victoria after windstorm

Rockfall in Goldstream, power line fire in Oak Bay

A rockfall Tuesday night on the Trans-Canada Highway in Goldstream Provincial Park has been cleared. (Emcon Services Inc./Twitter)
Power outages dotted the eastern edge of Vancouver Island as a winter storm ripped through overnight. (BC Hydro outage map)

Wind storm batters Cowichan Valley, southern Vancouver Island

Many BC Hydro customers without power

Power outages dotted the eastern edge of Vancouver Island as a winter storm ripped through overnight. (BC Hydro outage map)
B.C. Hydro studies indicate mobile homes use 50 per cent more electricity than other home type. (File Photo)

Heating costs run high for mobile homes, but BC Hydro offers tips

Most mobile home customers in B.C. are low-income, seniors

B.C. Hydro studies indicate mobile homes use 50 per cent more electricity than other home type. (File Photo)
One of the approximately 1,200 street lights within the city of Parksville that will be changed to 3000 Kelvin LED under BC Hydro’s Streetlight Replacement Project. (Mandy Moraes photo)

Parksville to go ahead with 3000K streetlights for BC Hydro project

Concerns about excessive brightness and resident privacy raised

One of the approximately 1,200 street lights within the city of Parksville that will be changed to 3000 Kelvin LED under BC Hydro’s Streetlight Replacement Project. (Mandy Moraes photo)
Police warned of winter driving conditions and fallen trees north of Royal Oak on Dec. 21. (Saanich Police/Twitter)

BC Hydro still working to restore power to nearly 1,600 south Island, Gulf Islands customers

Service expected to resume for all by end of Dec. 23, power company says

Police warned of winter driving conditions and fallen trees north of Royal Oak on Dec. 21. (Saanich Police/Twitter)
(RCMP photo)

40K BC Hydro customers without power the morning after 170K lost power due to winter storm

Crews have restored power to 130,000 as of 6:30 a.m.

(RCMP photo)