BC Hydro launches Power Smart 2.0 with free thermostats and rebates for households

BC Hydro announced a new Power Smart 2.0 program offering free $350 smart thermostats to homes with baseboard heaters, up to $200 per year in household energy‑saving incentives, up to $325 for income‑qualified homes and $200 rebates for selected efficient products. Premier David Eby said the plan “reduces your monthly bill” and “frees up electricity to drive economic activity” as the province prepares for additional mining and liquefied natural gas projects.

The program targets a saving of 800 MW of grid capacity by 2030 – roughly 2,200 GWh or enough to power 220,000 homes – and will be funded with $1 billion, aiming to avoid $2 billion in new infrastructure costs. It follows the earlier Power Smart effort that cut demand by 7,500 MW since 2008. BC Hydro is also issuing two calls for power that could add about 8,500 GWh from 14 new wind and solar projects, mainly for industrial customers. New provincial rules limit data‑centre connections to 400 MW over two years and impose a moratorium on crypto‑mining facilities.

Energy and Climate Solutions Minister Adrian Dix noted the recent surge in demand from LNG and mining, while Eby emphasized the government’s priority to keep electricity rates below inflation.