New FortisBC substations in time for winter energy peak

Kelowna, BC – December 16, 2009: Three new substations will help meet the energy needs of FortisBC customers this winter.

“Our goal to have the Black Mountain and Ellison substations in Kelowna, and the Arawana substation in Naramata energized before we reached the winter energy peak has been met,” said Doyle Sam, FortisBC’s Vice President of Engineering and Operations. “After last year’s record setting energy use, we wanted to make sure we had the continued capacity to meet our customers’ winter energy needs.”

In December 2008, FortisBC saw its all-time, peak electricity demand reach a high of 746 megawatts, exceeding the previous record of 718 megawatts reached in January 2004 and November 2006.

The number of customers FortisBC serves has increased annually within the service area, with particularly high growth in the Okanagan region. To help meet customer’s growing electricity needs, FortisBC has invested significantly in infrastructure improvements over the last five years. FortisBC completed several new substations in 2008 including Kettle Valley in the Rock Creek area, Ootischenia in Castlegar, and Big White near Kelowna. Construction has also started on the Benvoulin substation in Kelowna and the Okanagan Transmission Reinforcement project in the south Okanagan.

“Even with the addition of new substations, the winter peak is a good reminder for all of us to be thoughtful about the energy we use,” said Sam. “As the cold weather continues, FortisBC encourages customers to make sure they are using electricity efficiently.”

Overall, the highest electricity use by FortisBC customers is during the winter months and typically the highest daily use is in the evening between 5 and 9 p.m. when customers return home from work and school. Here are some tips that can help you reduce your energy use and keep your home comfortable.

  • Turn off household and holiday lights when not required. One of the best ways to conserve energy is to simply turn off lights when not in use or when you leave the room. Try using timers and motion sensors for outdoor lighting. Choose CFL (compact fluorescent light) bulbs and LED (light emitting diode) holiday lights, which use significantly less energy than incandescent lighting.
  • Lower thermostats to 20 degrees Celsius during the day and 17 degrees at night. Installing a programmable thermostat will make setting temperatures easy. It will automatically save energy at night and when you're away from home.
  • Heat only the rooms you’re using - Avoid heating unused rooms by closing doors and warm air supply registers and by lowering the room thermostat for baseboards. Avoid heating non-insulated spaces including garages, crawlspaces, attics or storage sheds.
  • Keep the heat in - Close the fireplace chimney damper between fires to keep warm air in during the winter and out during the summer. Use weather stripping to seal around door openings and windows. Use caulking to seal gaps and holes around non-opening windows, electrical outlets and openings around water pipes and vents. Even closing blinds or curtains in the evening will help keep warm air inside.
  • Use only essential appliances during the day - Program your dishwasher to run overnight and start the laundry after 9 p.m. This reduces electrical use during peak hours.

To get more information about FortisBC or for more energy efficiency tips, visit the FortisBC website at www.fortisbc.com or call the toll free number at 1-866-4FORTIS (1-866-436-7847).

About FortisBC FortisBC Inc. is an integrated regulated electric utility based in Kelowna, British Columbia. Focused on the safe delivery of reliable and cost-effective electricity, FortisBC serves approximately 158,000 customers directly and indirectly through wholesale utilities in the southern interior of B.C. FortisBC owns and operates four regulated hydroelectric generating plants and approximately 7,000 kilometres of transmission and distribution power lines. FortisBC employs over 500 people in British Columbia and is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Fortis Inc., the largest investor-owned distribution utility in Canada. Fortis Inc. shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and trade under the symbol FTS. Additional information can be accessed at www.fortisinc.com or www.sedar.com.


For further information please contact:
Jodie Foster Sexsmith
Communications and Media Relations Advisor
FortisBC Inc.
Media Line (250) 718-1718