Electrical Services

Each time you dig in the ground, you run the risk of hitting a buried cable, which could cause serious injury or death. Contact BC 1 Call before you dig to ensure it’s safe: 1-800-474-6886.

Unexpected power outages can occur – and we work hard to restore power as soon as possible. Report an outage and read our important safety tips.

Power is purchased from FortisBC at a wholesale rate and resold to utility customers at a retail rate. Revenue generated from electrical sales is used to cover the costs associated with running the utility and provides an annual dividend to the City, which is used to fund general capital projects.

The revenue generated from electrical sales is used to cover the costs associated with running the utility and also provides an annual dividend to the City, which is used to fund general capital projects.

Penticton has been using the automated meter reading electrical meters since 2003. Find out more about our automated meters.

Voltage Conversion

To create more reliable and robust electrical distribution system, the City has been increasing the distribution system voltage from 8,320V to 12,470V for the past two decades. 

By May 6, 2020 the final four remaining feeders (R12, R13, R33 & R34 - as seen in ‘green’ on the attached map) that provide electricity to the northeast quadrant of the City will be converted.

2020 Capital Projects

Conductor Upgrades will be performed in the following areas. See the map for clarification. 

• UPG-2016-3 R6 and R33 Loop
• UPG-2016-4 R33 3/0 to 477

Access information about the City’s Construction Standards or register as a contractor and receive information from the Electric Utility.

Are you looking for information about your electrical bill? Visit our Electric and Water Accounts billing page, where you’ll also find details about the Home Energy Loan Program and Electrical Service Payment Plan.

Did you know? You can pay your utility bill quickly and easily using MyPayments. Log on to get started!

Please Note: Underground secondary services (including conductors and conduits) from poles, service boxes and transformers to meter bases on private property are owned and maintained by the property owner.

Overhead secondary services to masts on private property or to the first point of contact (such as a private pole) are owned and maintained by the City. The electric meter is owned by the City of Penticton Electric Utility in both cases. There may be some exceptions: contact the City of Penticton Electric Utility for clarification.

To ensure public safety, a minimum of three metres of clearance is required between overhead high voltage power lines and adjacent trees. Property owners are responsible for ensuring that any vegetation on their property does not interfere with Electric Utility infrastructure and are responsible for all costs associated with maintaining the required clearances from power lines.

The Electric Utility conducts annual inspections of the distribution system and will provide written notice to property owners if trees are observed growing within the three-metre limits. Please review the Good Neighbour Bylaw for additional information.

NOTE: To ensure safe and effective tree trimming or removal, all works in the vicinity of power lines must be carried out by a Certified Utility Arborist (CUA) approved and authorized by the City of Penticton Electric Utility to undertake such works in proximity to Utility power lines. Contact the Electric Utility for a current list of approved contractors.

Work to install a residential EV charging station falls under the jurisdiction of Technical Safety BC and does not require a City of Penticton permit. 

Please contact your electrical contractor to help you determine if you will require a new service or a service upgrade to support the installation of a residential EV charging station.

While the City of Penticton does not currently offer any incentives for the installation of residential EV charging stations, the City does offer a low-interest Electrical Service Payment Plan, which enables customers to pay for new electrical services or upgrades to their existing service over time.

There may also be grants or rebates available through FortisBC. 

You may also wish to review BC Hydro’s tip sheet, which provides further information about how to install a home EV charger. 

For a list of EV Stations throughout Penticton, visit our EV Stations page.

Electrical service inquiries: Contact the Electric Utility at 250-490-2535 or electric.utility@penticton.ca

Billing Inquiries: 250-490-2489 or utilities@penticton.ca

Report an Outage
During business hours (Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.): 250-490-2539 or electric.utility@penticton.ca
After hours: 250-490-2324