PRINCE GEORGE — Residents across the Central Interior and Northern regions are advised to prepare for a series of scheduled power interruptions this month as BC Hydro ramps up its 2026 infrastructure renewal program.
The utility has confirmed that several planned outages are necessary to accommodate critical pole replacements and equipment maintenance. These upgrades are part of a province-wide initiative to retire aging wooden distribution poles, many of which have reached the end of their 40-to-50-year lifespans and have been further weakened by winter storms and insect damage.
Upcoming Scheduled Outages
The following municipalities will see localized service interruptions through the end of January:
| Municipality | Outage Date | Est. Duration | Primary Reason |
| Quesnel | Jan 18 | 6 Hours (9:30 AM – 3:30 PM) | Equipment Maintenance |
| Mackenzie | Jan 20 | 30 Minutes (12:00 PM – 12:30 PM) | Planned Maintenance |
| Prince George | Jan 22 | 5.5 Hours (9:30 AM – 3:00 PM) | Pole Replacement |
| Prince George | Jan 27 | 6 Hours (9:00 AM – 3:00 PM) | Pole Replacement |
Note: The Prince George outages on Jan 27 will specifically impact the Old Summit Lake Road and Adams Road areas as crews replace over a dozen poles.
Lessons from the “Heritage” Outage
The focus on maintenance follows a massive unplanned outage in Prince George’s Heritage neighborhood earlier this week. On January 14, over 2,600 customers were left without power for nearly nine hours after a vehicle incident at 5th Avenue and Foothills Boulevard severely damaged a primary electrical box.
BC Hydro spokesperson Bob Gammer noted that while the initial repairs were completed quickly, the incident underscored the vulnerability of local “remote configurations.” The upcoming January 22 pole replacement on Carney and Douglas Streets is intended to reinforce the grid in that same sector to prevent cascading failures during future accidents or storms.
Winter Safety Reminders
With temperatures in the Skeena and Interior expected to remain below freezing, BC Hydro is reminding residents to take the following steps during a planned outage:
- Charge All Devices: Ensure cell phones and power banks are at 100% the night before.
- Protect Electronics: Turn off or unplug sensitive electronics to avoid surges when power is restored.
- Keep it Closed: Avoid opening refrigerators or freezers; a closed fridge can keep food cold for up to four hours.
- Generators: Never use portable generators or outdoor heaters inside your home, as they pose a fatal carbon monoxide risk.
For the latest updates on localized outages or to report a downed line, residents can check the BC Hydro Outage Map or call 1-800-BCHYDRO.
