Photo Courtesy: ID 189970570 © Iuri Gagarin | Dreamstime.com

By Veronica Beltran

Electricity on the rise

Electricity use is climbing

Sep 15, 2020 | 4:30 AM

VANCOUVER—After a downward trend in the use of electricity, it is once again showing an upwards trend, as more businesses across re-open across the province.

The report titled, “Powering through uncertainty:Shifting habits since COVID-19 restrictions were eased and what that means for future electricity demand in B.C.” finds that close to 40 per cent of British Columbians indicated their daily routine has changed since stay-at-home- measures were lifted. Of those, close to 20 per cent said the change has been dramatic.

Of those who said their routine had changed, more than 20 per cent are now working from home less, leading to a quarter waking up earlier and about ten per cent going to bed earlier.

BC Hydro says the report finds that the biggest shift has been dining out, with close to 70 per cent of those surveyed saying they are going out to eat in restaurants, with 40 per cent doing so at least once a week. 15 per cent of people surveyed say they are watching less T.V. and streaming less.

“At the end of March, overall electricity use declined by nearly 10 per cent. Despite the large drop, this was less significant than what was happening in other parts of the world. The United Kingdom, France and Spain experienced 15 to 20 per cent drops in overall power consumption. With businesses reopening, overall demand in August increased to 7 per cent below BC Hydro’s pre-COVID-19 load forecast.”—Release by BC Hydro

Spruce Kings fall in Langley to Rivermen

8h ago

Sexual Assault and Harassment

Judge to rule on Canada Post employee's sexual assault and harassment case

Dec 13, 2025

Weather Alerts

Freezing rain warning issued for Prince George-area, snowfall warning remains for Williston, Pine Pass

Dec 13, 2025

With more people heading back to the workplace, and spending less time at home, provincial electricity use has seen a steady increase since June as well.

BC Hydro says that while electricity load is expected to remain lower than previously forecast over the next one to two years, it is expected to rebound in the long term due to population growth, fuel switching and the electrification of transportation, home heating, and industries that are dependent on fossil fuels.

BC Hydro is putting together a long-term plan called Clean Power 2040 to determine how it will continue to deliver electricity to its customers over the next 20 years.

“Although BC Hydro has enough electricity to power the province for several years, it needs to be prepared for what comes next and make contingency plans if demand is lower or higher than expected. The COVID-19 pandemic reconfirms how important it is to be prepared for a variety of scenarios.”—Release by BC Hydro

BC Hydro recommends that British Columbians become involved in Clean Power 2040 by: sharing their vision, taking a look at a quick online survey and providing insights; staying informed, signing up for email updates about the Clean Power 2040 process and Keeping Engaged, by participating in deeper discussions with industry experts online or by the phone about B.C.’s future energy needs and how BC Hydro can meet the various challenges.