Electrical Planning Report (EPR)
“An electrical planning report helps strata corporations to understand their current electrical capacity and their ability to meet new demands for electricity including charging electric vehicles and other needs such as installing heat pumps” (Section 94.1).
What is it?
An electrical planning report is a document that provides information about:
- the current capacity of the strata corporation’s electrical system
- a list of existing demands on the electrical system
- an estimate of peak electrical demand and spare electrical capacity
- an estimate of the electrical capacity needed to support future demands, such as EV charging and heat pumps and
- recommendations for demand management”.
Why do it?
- Electrical Planning Reports are completed and required by BC Property Regulation through OIC-671.
- By December 31, 2026, strata corporations located in three areas: the Metro Vancouver Regional District, the Fraser Valley Regional District and the Capital Regional District (excluding the Gulf Islands) are required to obtain an electrical planning report.
- By December 31, 2028, strata corporations located in other areas of British Columbia are required to obtain an electrical planning report.
- New strata corporations will have five years from the deposit of the strata plan to obtain an electrical planning report.
What is included?
Capacity Load Calculations
What is the capacity of the electrical system?
What is the peak demand and spare capacity?
What are the current demands of the heating/cooling systems and EV chargers if they are present?
Non-Electric Powered Systems
What heating, cooling, and ventilation systems are non-electric?
Future Electrical Needs & Recommendations
What is the amount of electricity required to transition non-electric sources (natural gas) in terms of heating, cooling, and ventilation?
What other heating, cooling, ventilation, and EV Chargers (EV Ready Plan required) may be installed in the future?
What are the measures that can be taken to decrease the consumption of electricity?
What additional electrical capacity can be achieved through practical upgrades to the electrical system?
1) We will inspect the multiple units within the building complex and the common areas to identify the current heating systems.
2) Based on the CleanBC Roadmap, we will create a new electrical load to convert gas-only heating systems like furnaces or hot water tanks to electric or electric/gas hybrid systems.
3) This report will also include any additional electrical upgrades that are desired.
Save Money and Be Ready for the Future
An Electrical planning report requires much of the information collected in an EV Ready Plan. They are separate reports; however, completing both simultaneously reduces the overall cost of the reports due to the significant overlap.
Impacts
Once an Electrical Planning Report has been completed OR the deadline has passed. An Owner can request the Strata install an EV Charger, and the Strata Council cannot unreasonably refuse to approve it. Once complete, the electrical planning report, according to OIC-671, activates Sections 90.1,90.2 and 90.3 of the Strata Property Act.
OIC-671 – Time of request – Section 5.4
Strata Property Act – Section 90.1 to 90.3
Want to learn more about EPR?
Vancouver Island Strata Owners Association Webinar for Leaders
10 Facts about Electrical Planning Reports for BC Strata’s
Order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council (OIC-671)
CleanBC Roadmap (Conversion from gas to electric)