Arctic cold brought record Hydro use demand to BC on Friday night

British Columbians were plugging in electric blankets and space heaters at a record pace on Friday evening, with our weekend of Arctic temperatures making for a record in demand for BC Hydro,

The Hydro Corporation noting of the drive to peak consumption of 11,300 megawatts in one hour on Friday evening. 

Before the new record was set on Friday night, the previous record was 10,977 megawatts set in December 2022. Friday night’s consumption was more than 30 per cent higher than the previous Friday night before the cold snap began, and Saturday night’s peak hourly load remained high at nearly 11,000 megawatts. 

BC Hydro also notes that not only could the Hydro agency meet the demand of British Columbians, but we also had enough spare capacity to share with our neighbours in Alberta and elsewhere.

Despite the record-breaking demand, B.C. did not require imports from the market and also had enough generating capacity to provide support to its neighbours in Alberta and the Pacific Northwest who were experiencing demand and system challenges. This includes about 200 megawatts exported to Alberta following an electrical grid alert from the Alberta Electrical Systems Operator.

More on Friday's record breaking moment can be reviewed here.

The province won't likely reach that level again the week, moderating temperatures are on the way for mid week and that will reduce the consumption across BC.

More notes on Hydro themes can be reviewed here.