Updates for Key Account Customers from BC Hydro

BC Hydro provided the following list of updates ranging from planned outages to voltage conversions, and custom project submissions.

New connections
We're continuing to manage new customer connections and reconnections through our normal processes, but due to current conditions some work will take longer than usual. In an effort to protect our employees, contractors, and customers, we will not be completing optional upgrades or alterations at this time. We will also not be completing any work where it would require outages to other customers. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this challenging time. 

Planned outages
We recognize that the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak means that a lot of our customers are spending more time at home now and in the weeks ahead. As a result we'll be cancelling all non-emergency planned power outages affecting our residential customers. Confirmed planned outages with no residential customer impacts will proceed as scheduled unless otherwise discussed. As always, our crews will continue to respond to all outages and restore power as soon as possible.

Scams
Some customers have reported receiving calls threatening disconnection from fake BC Hydro employees. We’ve stopped disconnections during the COVID-19 pandemic and we ask that you report these fraudulent calls to your local police department.

Voltage Conversions
We’ll continue planning related work for voltage conversions, but any outages required for cut-overs will be deferred until a later date in order to avoid non-critical outages that will impact our customers.

Dual Radial Vault Maintenance
Non-urgent Dual Radial Vault (DRV) maintenance scheduled for April will be cancelled and rescheduled in the next maintenance window. Scheduled maintenance on DRVs that are non-compliant (or nearing non-compliance) will proceed to ensure safety requirements continue to be met.

Fraser Valley Operations
The staffing model at Fraser Valley Operations (FVO) is changing and we are operating with lower staffing levels. FVO is prioritizing critical work and emergency response to ensure reliability of the grid, while protecting field worker safety. During this time, we request that our Transmission customers limit requests and phone calls to FVO to critical requests only.

F20 Custom Project Completions (Leaders in Energy Management)
Schedule Bs and Cs are now due for completed BC Hydro funded incentive projects. If your project is not yet complete, please contact your key account manager.

F21 Custom Project submissions
We are moving the deadline for F21 BC Hydro funded incentive project applications from March 31, 2020 to June 30, 2020 to give our customers more time for submissions.

F21 Energy Manager Program
F21 Energy Manager agreements will be sent for approval within the coming weeks. Note that we’ll adjust the requirements as needed and will be flexible with deliverables, given the circumstances. We’ll be exploring virtual options for upcoming workshops and forums. More information to come as solutions are developed.