Outage guide
West Kelowna Power Outages
Where to check and report an outage, why the Westside loses power more than most places, and how to keep the lights on next time.
Power out right now?
We are a solar and battery installer, not the utility, and we can’t see outage data. For a live outage, go straight to BC Hydro:
- Outage mapbchydro.com/outages
- Report by phone1 800 BCHYDRO (224 9376)
- From a mobile*HYDRO (*49376)
- Downed lineStay at least 10 metres back and call 911
Summerland and Trout Creek are served by the District of Summerland’s electric utility. Contact the District for outages there.
The cause
Why the Westside Loses Power So Often
West Kelowna gets its electricity from BC Hydro, not FortisBC, which serves most of Kelowna across the lake. That surprises a lot of people, and it explains a lot about outages here.
West Kelowna, Westbank First Nation, Peachland and surrounding communities, nearly 26,000 BC Hydro customers, all take their power through the Westbank substation. That substation is supplied by one 138 kV transmission line from the Nicola substation near Merritt, which runs across rugged, remote country that is prone to wildfire. There is no second line to switch to. When something goes wrong upstream, the whole Westside feels it.
Local outages happen too. Trees and branches come down on lines in summer windstorms and under heavy snow, equipment fails in the heat, and vehicles hit poles. In July 2026 alone, two separate outages each left more than 3,000 West Kelowna customers in the dark.
Why backup matters here
One Line In, and a Fix That Is Years Away
West Kelowna, Westbank First Nation and Peachland, nearly 26,000 BC Hydro customers, all draw power through the Westbank substation. That substation is fed by a single 138 kV line from near Merritt, across rugged terrain that burns in bad fire years.
When it or a local feeder goes down, the whole area can go dark at once. Two outages in July 2026 each left more than 3,000 West Kelowna customers without power. BC Hydro is planning a second supply across the lake from Kelowna, but construction is not expected before 2029.
BC Hydro’s West Kelowna Transmission Project will add a second supply: a new line from the Westbank substation across Okanagan Lake to FortisBC’s Recreation substation in Kelowna. The route decision is expected by the end of 2026, with design and approvals in 2027–28. Construction could start as early as 2029. Until then, the Westside depends on one line.
During an outage
What to Do When the Power Goes Out
- Check the outage map first. If your outage is listed, BC Hydro already knows about it. If not, report it by phone.
- Keep the fridge and freezer closed. A full freezer stays frozen for about two days if you leave it shut, and a fridge keeps food cold for about four hours.
- Unplug sensitive electronics. Power can come back with a surge. Leave one light switched on so you know when it returns.
- Never run a generator indoors, in a garage or near a window. Carbon monoxide kills. Keep generators well outside and away from openings.
- Don’t backfeed your house. Plugging a generator into a wall outlet can send power up the line and injure crews. Use a transfer switch or interlock installed by an electrician.
- Stay away from downed lines. Assume every fallen line is live. Keep at least 10 metres back and call 911.
- Check on neighbours, especially anyone who relies on powered medical equipment.
How Long Do Outages Last?
Most outages are restored within a few hours. The July 23, 2026 outage that hit about 3,800 West Kelowna customers took around two hours. Big storms, wildfires and damage in hard-to-reach terrain can take much longer, and homes at the end of long rural lines, up Westside Road or in the Trepanier valley, tend to be among the last reconnected. BC Hydro’s outage map shows an estimated restoration time for each outage and updates it as crews learn more.
If your household can’t go more than a few hours without power, because of a well, a sump pump, medical equipment or a home business, it is worth planning for backup rather than hoping for a short outage.
Your options
Backup Power Options Compared
There is no single right answer. Here is how the common options compare for a Westside home.
| Option | Typical cost | Runs your | Noise & fumes | Refills itself? | BC Hydro rebate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portable generator | $1,000 – $3,000 + fuel | A few circuits, via a transfer switch | Loud, exhaust outdoors | No, you refuel it | No |
| Standby generator | $10,000 – $18,000 installed | Most or all of the house | Moderate, exhaust outdoors | No, runs on propane or natural gas | No |
| Portable power station | $1,500 – $5,000 | A fridge, phones, a modem | Silent | Only from a wall outlet or small panel | No |
| Home battery | $12,000 – $17,000 essentials | Chosen circuits, automatically | Silent | From the grid when it is up | Only when paired with solar |
| Solar + battery | Solar plus $12,000+ for storage | Chosen circuits, automatically | Silent | Yes, every sunny day | Up to $5,000 + $5,000 |
Typical installed prices on the Westside, as of September 2026. The battery rebate requires the battery to be installed with solar; $5,000 applies with Peak Saver enrolment. Generator prices are for comparison only. We don’t install generators.
Solar + battery
How a Solar Battery Rides Through an Outage
A grid-tied solar system has to shut off when the grid goes down, so it never pushes power onto a line crews are working on. That is why so many people are surprised to find their panels doing nothing during an outage.
Add a battery and an inverter that can island your home, and the system disconnects from the grid by itself the moment the power drops. Your chosen circuits keep running from the battery, and during the day the panels recharge it. In summer, when wildfire and windstorm outages are most likely, a well-sized system can carry the essentials for as long as the outage lasts.
Most people back up essential circuits rather than the whole house: fridge and freezer, furnace fan, well or sump pump, internet, some lights and outlets, and any medical equipment. A typical home battery covers those for a night or more on its own, and indefinitely with a sunny day to recharge.
The rebate
The BC Hydro Battery Rebate and Peak Saver
Because West Kelowna is BC Hydro territory, a battery installed with solar qualifies for BC Hydro’s battery rebate: $500 per kWh of storage, up to $1,500 for a home, or up to $5,000 if you enrol the battery in Peak Saver. The rebate is capped at 50% of the installed cost and the battery has to be paired with solar.
Peak Saver lets BC Hydro draw on your battery during winter peak events, November to March. Under the program terms, each event lasts no more than four hours and your battery is never discharged below 20%, so you always keep a reserve for an outage. You can opt out of individual events, though opting out of more than half in a season can cost you that season’s reward.
For most Westside homes the $5,000 rebate is worth it, and the 20% floor keeps some backup in hand. We walk you through the terms before you sign up. Full rebate guide
Questions
Power Outage Questions
Why did the power go out in my area right now?
BC Hydro’s outage map shows the cause once crews know it. On the Westside the usual culprits are trees or branches on lines in wind, equipment faults, vehicles hitting poles, and in summer, wildfire. Because the whole area is fed through one substation on a single transmission line, a problem upstream can take out thousands of homes at once.
How do I check the power outage in my area online?
Use BC Hydro’s outage map at bchydro.com/outages, which lists outages by area with the number of customers affected, the cause if known and an estimated restoration time. If your outage isn’t listed, report it: call 1 800 BCHYDRO (1 800 224 9376) or *HYDRO (*49376) from a mobile. Summerland residents should contact the District of Summerland’s electric utility.
How long does it take BC Hydro to restore power?
Most outages are fixed within a few hours. The July 23, 2026 outage that affected about 3,800 West Kelowna customers was restored in about two hours. Major storms and wildfires can take much longer, especially where crews can’t safely reach the line. The outage map gives an estimate for each outage and updates it as crews learn more.
Will solar panels keep my power on during an outage?
Not on their own. A standard grid-tied system shuts down when the grid does, so it can’t send power onto lines crews are repairing. With a battery and an inverter that can island your home, your chosen circuits switch over by themselves, and the panels recharge the battery each day.
Keep the lights on next time.
Tell us what has to stay running and we will price a battery, with or without solar, and take off the BC Hydro rebate. Free, no obligation.
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