Vandalised BC Hydro transformers cause oil spill and days of outages
2019Published 17 Sept 2026Responsible editor: Chief Editor
- Where
- Mt Seymour-Parkgate area of North Vancouver
- Operator
- BC Hydro
- What
- Four pad-mounted transformers deliberately damaged
- Cause
- Under investigation
- Outcome
- Outages up to three days and 1000 litres oil spill
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Companies named in the reporting of this entry (being named is not a finding of fault): BC Hydro
What happened
Between April and July 2019, at least four BC Hydro pad-mounted transformers in the Mt Seymour-Parkgate area of North Vancouver were deliberately damaged, apparently using some kind of saw and drill. In each case the transformers tripped, cutting power to nearby neighbourhoods, restaurants and grocery stores, in one case for three days. In one incident roughly 1,000 litres of mineral oil leaked from a damaged unit, but the gravel base beneath it stopped the oil seeping into the grass.
BC Hydro said the tampering posed serious safety risks, including the possibility of a fire or an explosion, and put repair costs at roughly 150,000 Canadian dollars, not including lost business or spoiled food at affected premises. The utility said the incidents, which it dated to 2 and 24 April, 1 May and 2 July 2019, were suspected to be connected, and police were investigating.
Contributing factors
Deliberate damage to pad-mounted transformer enclosures with what BC Hydro described as some kind of saw and drill. Pad-mounted units serving underground distribution are sited in publicly accessible locations such as pathways and lawns, and rely on mineral oil for cooling.
Lessons learned
- Pad-mounted transformers in public places need tamper-resistant enclosures, as forced entry with a saw or drill trips the unit and risks fire or explosion.
- Gravel bases under pad-mounted units limit ground contamination when mineral oil leaks, so operators should check them in routine inspections.
- Repeated interference with the same type of distribution equipment should be linked early and reported to police with added surveillance considered.
More lessons on emergency response and public communication, maintenance, inspection and ageing assets, investigation and fleet-wide checks, from every incident on the register.
Not yet known
- Transformer model and age
- Total cost including lost business
- Police investigation findings
This entry is updated when these are reported. Get an alert for the next one like it.
Source
Published 2026-09-17. Written from public reporting. Descriptive, not investigative. See the data accuracy disclaimer.
