BCTC has a number of key relationships that are important to our operations and necessary in providing reliable service for our customers and benefits for British Columbians.
Customers
BCTC works with all eligible transmission customers to ensure open and fair access to the transmission system. The organization coordinates all transmission transactions in order to operate the system safely and reliably.
BCTC’s largest transmission services customer is BC Hydro. BCTC provides BC Hydro with a highly flexible transmission service necessary to deliver electricity to customers in BC, including to wholesale customers such as FortisBC and the City of New Westminster.
BCTC also provides point-to-point transmission service to power marketers, generators, and industrial customers for trade or to serve large customers who choose to purchase their electricity from suppliers other than BC Hydro. In addition, BCTC provides engineering studies and interconnection services to Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and utility generators seeking to interconnect to the BC grid.
Shareholder
BCTC is a Crown corporation with the Province of British Columbia as the sole shareholder. BCTC reports to the Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. A 10-member Board of Directors, appointed by the Shareholder, oversees the operations of the company.
Regulators
BCTC is regulated by the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) and seeks approval from the BCUC for transmission system capital expenditures and the rates BCTC charges customers, which include an allowed return to the Shareholder. In addition, some of BCTC’s activities are subject to other regulatory bodies such as the National Energy Board and the Environmental Assessment Office.
First Nations
BCTC is committed to an open and transparent planning process so First Nations are informed and actively involved in discussions about electricity planning and major transmission issues in the province.
Stakeholders
Stakeholders’ views are important considerations in planning and implementing projects and regulatory applications. BCTC’s principal stakeholders are industry participants, local municipalities, community and environmental groups, and governments.
Industry associations
BCTC is actively involved in regional and national organizations promoting safe, reliable and cost-effective operation of the grid. The organization participates in the Western Electricity Coordinating Council and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation.
BCTC is also part of the Canadian Electricity Association (CEA), the national association and voice of the electricity business in Canada. Being part of the CEA ensures BC’s perspectives and views are represented in a national forum. This participation allows BCTC to gain and share experiences from across the country.
Service providers
BCTC’s service providers deliver specialized services such as construction, maintenance, engineering, vegetation management, and information technology services.
BCTC is continually assessing the strength of our relationships and satisfaction with the service we provide. An annual stakeholder survey measures how well BCTC is meeting the expectations and needs of customers and stakeholders, and is one of our key measures of performance.