ORDER NUMBER
G-13-25
IN THE MATTER OF
the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473
and
British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority
Tariff Supplement 110 Load Curtailment Agreement
for Customers Served through Natal Substation
BEFORE:
E. B. Lockhart, Commissioner
B. A. Magnan, Commissioner
W. E. Royle, Commissioner
on January 24, 2025
ORDER
WHEREAS:
A. On December 20, 2024, British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) filed an application (Application) with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC), pursuant to sections 58 to 61 of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA), seeking approval of Electric Tariff Supplement No. 110 (TS 110);
B. BC Hydro’s operating order for the B.C.-Alberta Interconnection, System Operating Order 7T-17, currently includes the Natal Load Shedding Remedial Action Scheme (RAS), which is intended to avoid regional voltage collapse in the event of contingencies on the Bulk Electric System and heavy area load conditions. BC Hydro states that if the Natal Load Shedding RAS is triggered, BC Hydro will not be in compliance with Mandatory Reliability Standard TPL-001-4 (TPL-001-4), effective July 1, 2025, which does not permit Non-Consequential Load Loss or the interruption of Firm Transmission Service under certain system contingencies;
C. BC Hydro, with support from affected customers, is proposing the provision of electricity service on a curtailable basis for applicable transmission voltage customers in the southern interior region of B.C. TS 110 will be required for any BC Hydro customer who takes, or proposes to take, electricity pursuant to an electricity supply agreement that is or would be subject to the Natal Load Shedding RAS. The TS 110 is a supplemental curtailment agreement for customers served through the Natal Substation that provides BC Hydro with the right to shed some or all of these customers’ loads if the Natal Load Shedding RAS is triggered; and
D. The BCUC has reviewed the Application and determines that approval is warranted.
NOW THEREFORE pursuant to sections 58 to 61 of the UCA, the BCUC orders as follows:
1. TS 110 is approved effective as of the date of this order.
2. The tariff pages as filed in Attachment 1 to the Application are accepted for filing.
DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this 24th day of January 2025.
BY ORDER
Electronically signed by Bernard Magnan
B. A. Magnan
Commissioner