The BCUC is responsible for regulating Thermal Energy System (TES) providers in BC.

A TES is comprised of equipment or facilities for the production, generation, storage, transmission, sale, delivery or provision of heat and/or cold. It may include plant, equipment, distribution piping, apparatus, property and facilities employed by, or in connection with, the provision of thermal energy services.

In BC, a TES provider that sells thermal energy is a public utility and is regulated by the BCUC as outlined in the Utilities Commission Act. The BCUC does not regulate municipalities or regional districts who provide thermal energy services within its own boundaries as they are excluded from the definition of a public utility.

Visit our entity map to see a list of TES providers we regulate and their business details.

BCUC Framework for Regulating TES

The BCUC is responsible for the economic regulation and general supervision of TES providers in BC. Unless an exemption is provided, BCUC approval is required to construct and operate a TES, as well as for the rates charged for thermal energy service, among other things.

The BCUC has developed a framework where regulatory oversight increases with the size and scope of the TES. This scaled approach is outlined in the TES Guidelines.

TES Guidelines

The TES Guidelines set out how the BCUC regulates TES providers and the criteria for TES to be exempt from aspects of BCUC regulation. The guidelines apply to:

  • Persons planning to build or purchase a TES and become a TES provider.
  • TES providers operating a TES and selling thermal energy to customers.
  • TES providers providing sub-metering of thermal energy services.
  • TES customers wishing to learn more about the BCUC's regulation of TES providers.
  • Parties wishing to file a complaint regarding a TES provider.

The guidelines describe five types of TES along with filing requirements for regulatory applications and other information for each type of TES:

  • Strata TES

    Owned or operated by a Strata Corporation that only supplies thermal energy to its strata-lot owners.

  • Micro TES

    Has a capital cost of less than $1 million, long-term service agreements with each of its customers, and meets other eligibility criteria set out by the TES Guidelines.

  • Fixed-Scale TES (formerly Stream A TES)

    Sized to serve a known thermal energy load, has long-term service agreements with each of its customers, and meets other eligibility criteria set out by the TES Guidelines.

  • Affiliated Fixed-Scale TES

    A Fixed-Scale TES where the TES provider is affiliated with one or more of its customers.

  • District TES (formerly Stream B TES)

    Does not fall into any other category.

Resources

TES Guidelines Forms Exemptions

Certain types of TES are eligible for exemption from aspects of the BCUC’s regulation. The TES Guidelines provide registration and application requirements for each TES exemption.

Regulating Energy Utilities

The BCUC is responsible for regulating BC's energy utilities. We ensure customers have access to safe, reliable energy service at a fair price.

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