With colder weather only a couple of months away FortisBC is offering rebates for 91大黄鸭 natural gas customers through a new program.

The Peak Plan Pilot, similar to FortisBC鈥檚 electricity program, can help customers lower gas use in the winter months. These programs can help spread peak energy demand over a longer period to reduce the energy that needs to be delivered at a specific time.

鈥淭his helps the system continue to deliver energy to customers while reducing the need to build new infrastructure,鈥� according to a FortisBC media release.

91大黄鸭 customers are encouraged to sign up for the pilot program as their feedback will help FortisBC explore ways to lower energy use while
better managing overall system demand. 

FortisBC received significant feedback during the pilot phase of another program, Power Hours Rewards, with 89 per cent of particpants respondents likely to participate in a future program. Power Hours Rewards is specific to electric heating, cooling and electric vehicles, while the Peak Plan Pilot focuses on gas heating.

鈥淚t鈥檚 essentially a way to reduce rush-hour traffic on our energy system so we can avoid or defer the need to build a larger energy system or 鈥榟ighway鈥� to keep up,鈥� said Max Mathies, program manager, peak and capacity mitigation at FortisBC.

Mathies points out that adjusting the heat or air conditioning, cooking dinner, hot water use, and electric vehicle charging occurs at peak times.

鈥淭hese activities require energy, and, when we all do them at the same time, energy use then spikes in our system. The purpose of these programs is to help spread this energy use over a longer period while ensuring customers are comfortable in their homes.鈥�

FortisBC is forecasting an expected shortfall of natural gas in the Okanagan by winter 2026/27. However, its Okanagan Capacity Mitigation Project (OCMP) will provide liquefied natural gas (LNG) through a small-scale storage and send-out facility located in 91大黄鸭.

The Peak Plan Pilot is expected to start on Nov. 1. FortisBC is offering sign-up incentives of $50 per connected thermostat plus a $50 post-pilot incentive for customers who reduce their energy use during at least one request period and complete the post-pilot survey. 

Customers can sign up on the .