Hydro-Québec wants to increase electricity rates by 3% for residents, 3.9% for businesses and 3.3% for large industries on March 1er April 2025. This is the tariff request submitted Thursday by the State Company, which will have to be approved by the Energy Board before coming into force.
In a press release, Hydro-Québec specifies that this rate adjustment represents $2.40 more per month for an apartment, “$4.50 for a small house, $6 for a medium-sized house and $7.40 for a large house.”
However, households that consume more than 50,000 kWh per year, or 1% of residential customers, will have to pay a higher rate starting in 2027. This measure is intended to encourage them to reduce their consumption. The Crown corporation adds that it will ensure that no low-income household will be charged such an overconsumption rate.
For retailers, this increase is lower than the 5.1% they experienced in 2024. It remains the same for large industrial customers.
In addition, Hydro-Québec says it will offer a lower rate for certain customers who use their electricity at certain times, such as at night. This would allow customers to obtain up to $350 in discounts per year.
The State Corporation also wishes to subsidize the purchase of solar panels from 2026 and encourage the installation of efficient heat pumps.
The Régie de l’énergie will have to render a decision no later than next March, after examining Hydro-Québec’s application and holding a public hearing. “Electricity distribution rates set every five years by the Régie and indexed the other years according to inflation. These rates are set based on what it costs Hydro-Québec to build and maintain the distribution network and distribute electricity to consumers’ individual consumption locations, adding a reasonable rate of return set by the Régie,” explains the Régie’s website.