Hydro permits: Key rules for electrical and water projects

In Ontario, one of these local distribution companies is Toronto Hydro. It requires a hydro permit for new permanent service installations for residential, commercial, or industrial purposes in the city. Here are the steps for applying for this permit:

• Submit a service request using the New Service Installation Request Online Form
• Sign and return the Job Quotation or Offer to Connect sent by Toronto Hydro
• Schedule and complete a safety inspection with the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA)
• Toronto Hydro conducts a final site inspection and energizes the project

Hydro permits for commercial or industrial businesses

Provincial utilities can also help when a commercial or industrial business wants to establish its operations in a province.

For example, BC Hydro supports businesses that want to establish operations in British Columbia, helping them with site selection, interconnection, and any required hydro permits. BC Hydro can also help in site-specific concerns, including:

• selecting an industrial site: businesses can get connected to the grid when establishing operations in an existing industrial site listed in BC Hydro’s registry
• assessing an existing site: if the new business already has its own site, this can be assessed by BC Hydro to see if it is eligible for interconnection or project study funding

Hydro permits for electrical works

Hydro permits are also required for electrical work on existing connections, such as renovations.

One regulator that issues this permit is Manitoba Hydro, which requires an electrical or hydro permit before any work can be started for commercial and residential establishments. Here, an applicant must submit an ePermit, which must be applied by: