BC Hydro says it’s struggling to deal with a decline in electricity usage during the COVID-19 pandemic and that the decline is forcing the company to take action to avoid flooding risks.
The company says there has been a 10 per cent drop in electricity usage that could increase to 12 per cent by April of next year, which is double the decline caused by the 2008 recession. [ Sign up for our Health IQ newsletter for the latest coronavirus updates ] That drop in demand, coupled with high inflows from spring melts and limited export markets, means there’s a huge surplus in the system.
The utility says there’s a possibility that reservoirs could reach their capacity and create a significant impact on the environment and BC Hydro infrastructure.