BC Hydro sets second consecutive all-time summer electricity usage record
Peak demand hit 8,870 megawatts Wednesday evening as the heatwave drives Canadians to crank air conditioning. The record fell just one day after the previous mark was broken.
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BC Hydro customers shattered an all-time summer peak electricity usage record Wednesday evening, marking the second consecutive day the previous record fell.
Between 5 and 6 p.m. — when demand peaks — the system reached 8,870 megawatts, according to preliminary data. That beat Tuesday's mark of 8,715 megawatts, which itself had broken the August 2025 record of 8,652 megawatts by 63 megawatts.
The extreme heat gripping much of British Columbia is driving the unprecedented demand. Despite the record-setting load, BC Hydro says its system "has continued to perform reliably, with sufficient capacity available to meet customer needs." The utility is monitoring conditions closely as hot weather persists.
FortisBC, which operates in B.C.'s Southern Interior, reported high demand Wednesday — delivering 735 megawatts — exceeding the previous week's peak. However, that utility's all-time summer record of 764 megawatts, set during the June 2021 heat dome, remains unbroken.
The facts
What was BC Hydro's peak electricity demand on Wednesday, July 23, 2026?
BC Hydro reached 8,870 megawatts between 5 and 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, setting an all-time summer peak.
What was the previous summer record BC Hydro broke?
The previous summer record was 8,715 megawatts, set on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, which itself had beaten the August 2025 record of 8,652 megawatts.
What is FortisBC's all-time summer electricity record?
FortisBC's all-time summer record is 764 megawatts, set during the June 2021 heat dome in B.C.'s Southern Interior.
