Keeping B.C. warm: FortisBC’s gas and electricity systems meet high energy demand

Feb 13, 2025

SURREY, B.C.—February 13, 2025: Despite a mild beginning to the winter season, FortisBC’s gas and electricity systems reached their highest demand for energy this week, with the gas system delivering approximately 19,523 megawatts (MW) and the electricity system delivering 739 MW.

“The cold weather we are experiencing this week serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of having resilient, reliable and flexible energy systems, capable of meeting high demand. By using the strengths of both the gas and electricity systems, we can ensure that customers have the energy they need when they need it most.

During periods of cold weather, British Columbians rely heavily on the gas system to deliver energy. In recent years, including last year, the gas system provided nearly double the amount of energy used on the coldest day of the year compared to the electricity system. The gas system plays a critical role in meeting demand, as it can easily store and put to work large quantities of energy quickly, complementing the electricity systems when demand spikes. In addition, leveraging the existing gas infrastructure and its ability to carry renewable and low-carbon gases,¹ such as Renewable Natural Gas,² can help reduce overall emissions while putting to use our established gas system. By utilizing both gas and electricity, we can ensure a more reliable, balanced energy system that keeps homes and businesses running efficiently.”

Statement attributed to Joe Mazza, vice president of energy supply and resource development, FortisBC.

Backgrounder

During the week of February 10, 2025, FortisBC’s gas and electricity systems reached their highest demand for energy this winter keeping homes and businesses warm. Temperatures dropped to below -4 degrees Celsius in the Lower Mainland and around -12 degrees Celsius in Kelowna and with this colder weather there was increased demand for energy.

• During peak demand hour on February 12, the FortisBC gas system delivered approximately 70 terajoules of energy which is equivalent to 19,523 MW of power.
• FortisBC’s electricity system reached peak demand hour on February 11, delivering around 739 MW of power.

On the coldest days of the year, gas and electricity customers can use around 160 per cent more energy compared with energy use on an average winter day.³ This is because in colder weather, heating systems are used more frequently, and it can take more energy to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature.

There are steps customers can take to help reduce their energy use while remaining cosy this winter.

FortisBC has quick energy-saving tips to help customers manage their energy use during these cooler months.

For more information about home heating and energy use, visit fortisbc.com/winteruse.

 

¹FortisBC uses the term renewable and low-carbon gas to refer collectively to the low-carbon gases or fuels that the utility can acquire under the Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Clean Energy) Regulation, which are: Renewable Natural Gas (also called RNG or biomethane), hydrogen, synthesis gas (from wood waste) and lignin. FortisBC’s renewable and low-carbon gas portfolio currently includes only Renewable Natural Gas. Other gases and fuels may be added to the program over time. Depending on their source, all of these gases have differing levels of lifecycle carbon intensity. However, all of these gases are low carbon when compared to the lifecycle carbon intensity of conventional natural gas. The current burner tip emission factor of RNG is 0.27 grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per megajoule of energy (gCO2e/MJ) and the current renewable and low-carbon gas portfolio lifecycle emissions for stationary combustion are -22 gCO2e/MJ. This is below B.C.’s low carbon threshold for lifecycle carbon intensity of 30.8 gCO2e/MJ as set out in the 2024 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Regulation amendments.

²Renewable Natural Gas (also called RNG or biomethane) is produced in a different manner than conventional natural gas. It is derived from biogas, which is produced from decomposing organic waste from landfills, agricultural waste and wastewater from treatment facilities. The biogas is captured and cleaned to create RNG. When RNG is added to North America’s natural gas system, it mixes with conventional natural gas. This means we’re unable to direct RNG to a specific customer. But the more RNG is added to the gas system, the less conventional natural gas is needed, thereby reducing the use of fossil fuels and overall greenhouse gas emissions.

³Based on average and peak energy use of FortisBC gas customers from November 1, 2023-October 31, 2024.

 

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