Underground residential development program

Underground electrical service for subdivision and townhome construction

The underground residential development (URD) program supports developers with the design and construction of underground electrical infrastructure for new developments of fee-simple, strata, public-road access or First Nations reserve residential subdivisions and townhomes.

The program, formerly known as the customer build program, has been available on Vancouver Island and in the Lower Mainland since 2012.

The offer

Get access to select, certified professional electrical engineering firms. These engineering service providers deliver underground electrical infrastructure design, along with project and construction management services, that align with our construction standards and design requirements.

Program benefits

You can benefit from the streamlined involvement and output from the electrical engineering service provider. This allows your project to progress with self-driven design and construction schedules, which may improve efficiency in project delivery and cost effectiveness.

How it works

1. You select and contract directly with one of the program's engineering service providers to get underground electrical infrastructure design for your project.
2. Designs are reviewed and accepted by us at all stages of construction to ensure they adhere to BC Hydro civil and electrical standards and BC Hydro design best practices.
3. Projects are implemented with engineering service providers, power line contractors, and materials that are all pre-qualified by BC Hydro to meet our safety procedures. Developers may continue to use registered civil contractors to install civil infrastructure.
4. All work is completed under the supervision and seal of a professional engineer registered with Engineers and Geoscientists BC.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this program, the project must meet all the following criteria:

• Be a new residential development serviced from underground BC Hydro infrastructure.
• Be a new, fee-simple, strata, public-road access or First Nations reserve residential subdivision or townhome development. 
• Have a minimum of four lots or townhouses. This includes stacked townhouses with one unit stacked above another, each with its own exterior entrance and no shared internal corridors. 
• Receive electrical service at secondary voltage with at least four meters, including at least one new BC Hydro underground transformer. 

Examples of eligible developments:

• A new, fee-simple 15-lot subdivision with underground electrical infrastructure.
• A new 20-unit townhouse or row home development.

Resources

Have questions?

If you have questions about the underground residential development program, email our team.

Interested in registering your engineering firm to participate in the underground residential development program? Reach out to the Alliance of Energy Professionals team at alliance@bchydro.com.