Orders

ORDER NUMBER

G-1-26

IN THE MATTER OF

the Utilities Commission Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 473

and

British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority

Optional Transmission Service Time-Varying Rates

BEFORE:

T. A. Loski, Panel Chair

M. Jaccard, Commissioner

on January 9, 2026

ORDER

WHEREAS:

A.      On December 19, 2025, British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) filed with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) an Optional Transmission Service Time-Varying Rates Application (Application) seeking approval of the following rates (together, the Optional Transmission Rates):

•        Rate Schedule (RS) 2801 – Transmission Service Time-of-Use;

•        RS 2802 – Transmission Service Time-of-Use with Modified Winter Demand;

•        RS 2821 – Transmission Service Critical Peak Pricing; and

•         RS 2822 – Transmission Service Critical Peak Pricing with Time-of-Use;

B.      As part of the Application, BC Hydro requests that the BCUC approve the Optional Transmission Rates, effective April 1, 2026, on an interim and non-refundable basis. BC Hydro proposes that the Optional Transmission Rates be approved on a non‑refundable basis because customers will be making operating decisions based on the interim rates and they require certainty that the rate will not be changed retroactively;

C.      BC Hydro also requests the approval of amendments to the following rates (together, the Related Amendments), effective April 1, 2026:

•        RS 1880 – Standby and Maintenance Supply to make the rate available to customers taking service under the Optional Transmission Rates and preclude them from taking service under RS 1880 during on-peak periods and critical peak pricing events;

•        Tariff Supplement 89 to clarify that customers with a billing formula pursuant to an electricity purchase agreement with a contracted generator baseline can participate in the Optional Transmission Rates; and

•         RS 1892 – Freshet Energy so that customers taking service under the Optional Transmission Rates are eligible to concurrently participate in RS 1892;

D.      BC Hydro requests that, upon completion of the regulatory process for the Application, the BCUC approve the Optional Transmission Rates on a final basis, as a four-year pilot effective from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2030. BC Hydro proposes that any changes from the interim approved rates will become effective April 1, 2027;

E.       BC Hydro proposes a regulatory process for the review of the Application, as set out in the cover letter to the Application. BC Hydro proposes that the initial review process be limited in scope to the interim and non-refundable nature of the relief sought regarding the Optional Transmission Rates being effective April 1, 2026;

F.       BC Hydro requests that portions of the Application (Exhibit B-1-1) be kept confidential on the basis that they contain commercially sensitive market prices and customer sensitive information; and

G.      The BCUC has considered the regulatory process proposed by BC Hydro and determines that the establishment of a regulatory timetable for the review of the Application is warranted.

NOW THEREFORE the BCUC orders as follows:

1.       The regulatory timetable for the review of the Application is established, as set out in Appendix A to this order.

2.       On or before Thursday, January 15, 2026, BC Hydro is directed to provide:

a.       Notice of the Application and this order on its website;

b.       A copy of the Application and this order, electronically where possible, to all transmission service customers and all registered interveners in the BC Hydro 2025 Integrated Resource Plan proceeding and the BC Hydro Transmission Service Rate Design proceeding; and

c.       Notice of the Application and this order, or post the Public Notice attached as Appendix B to this order, on its existing social media platforms. Reminder posts must be published on each platform every week until the conclusion of the intervener registration on Thursday, January 29, 2026.

3.       BC Hydro is directed to provide to the BCUC:

a.       By Monday, January 19, 2026, confirmation of compliance with the notice requirements in Directive 2 of this order, except for the social media reminder posts, including a list of social media platforms on which notice was posted and a list of all the parties directly notified; and

b.       By Monday, February 2, 2026, confirmation of compliance with the notice requirement in Directive 2 of this order regarding social media reminder posts.

4.       The scope of the intervener submissions due on or before noon on Friday, February 20 is limited to the interim approval request (set out in Recital B to this order) and the requested Related Amendments.

5.       Exhibit B-1-1 will be held confidential unless the BCUC determines otherwise.

DATED at the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, this      9^th      day of January 2026.

BY ORDER

Electronically signed by Tom Loski

T. A. Loski

Commissioner

Attachment

British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority

Optional Transmission Service Time-Varying Rates

BC HYDRO OPTIONAL TRANSMISSION SERVICE TIME-VARYING RATES

In December 2025, BC Hydro applied to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) for approval of several new optional transmission service rates as part of a four-year pilot, effective April 1, 2026.

BC Hydro states that the new time-varying rates will provide transmission customers who opt in with bill savings ranging from 1.2% to 4.5% per year. BC Hydro notes that customers will receive a lower energy charge during off-peak times and a higher energy charge during peak times, encouraging a reduction or shift in electricity usage during high demand periods.

BC Hydro requests that the BCUC approve the rates for the first year on a non-refundable interim basis, while the BCUC reviews the application for permanent rates. The utility notes that customers will make operating decisions based on the interim rates and require certainty that the rates will not change retroactively.

To participate in the proceeding, please see the options below or visit www.bcuc.com/get-involved for more information.

Please visit the proceeding page on bcuc.com under “Our Work” to learn more.