Hydro-Quebec rate hike approved


High Voltage Maintenance Training Online

Our customized live online or in‑person group training can be delivered to your staff at your location.

  • Live Online
  • 12 hours Instructor-led
  • Group Training Available
Regular Price:
$599
Coupon Price:
$499
Reserve Your Seat Today

Hydro-Québec Electricity Rate Increase takes effect April 1 as the energy board approves a 0.4% hike, affecting residential customers, citing commercial sales and accounting changes, while debates loom over heritage block pricing and kWh costs.

 

In This Story

A 0.4% rate hike on April 1 adds about $0.43 monthly for average homes, driven by sales and accounting shifts.

  • Energy board approves Hydro-Québec request
  • Average home pays about $0.43 more per month
  • Increase offsets lower commercial sales, accounting changes

 

Consumers rights groups are expressing concern over the latest increase in the cost of electricity in Quebec.

 

Electricity rates will go up by 0.4 per cent effective April 1 after the province's energy board approved Hydro-QuE9bec's latest request for an increase in rates.

The hike will mean an additional cost of 43 cents per month for the average residential customer.

Hydro-QuE9bec, which planned a domestic rate hike in 2004 under its plan, requested the increase to compensate for a drop in commercial sales and a change in accounting methods, spokesperson JosE9e Morin said.

The higher rate was approved even though residential customers should have been entitled to a 2.2 per cent cut in energy rates, said Charles Tanguay of the consumer advocacy group Union des consommateurs.

The energy board seems to accept Hydro-QuE9bec's requests without question, Tanguay said, even as Hydro-QuE9bec may keep rates capped in 2004 under certain conditions.

"Hydro-QuE9bec makes enormous profits - $3 billion a year," he said. "Increases like this amount to taxing electricity.

"Provinces like Ontario pay much more for their electricity because it costs them more to produce it."

Tanguay predicts that the real debate over energy costs will happen after the upcoming provincial budget.

He expects the government will announce an increase in the rates for the so-called heritage block of energy, which is not subject to the board's approval.

"An increase of one cent per kWh would represent a 15 per cent increase of our rates," said Tanguay. "We're not just talking crumbs here - that is a lot of money."

The board has also authorized the utility to spend $294 million on an energy efficiency plan, even as the QFL asks to limit hikes for consumers, including $81 million aimed at its residential clientele.

 

Related News

Related News

U.S. Announces $28 Million To Advance And Deploy Hydropower Technology

DOE Hydropower Funding advances clean energy R&D, pumped storage hydropower, retrofits for non-powered dams, and…
View more

Improve US national security, step away from fossil fuels

American Green Energy Independence accelerates electrification and renewable energy, leveraging solar, wind, and EVs to…
View more

WY Utility's First Wind Farm Faces Replacement

Foote Creek I Wind Farm Repowering upgrades Wyoming turbines with new nacelles, towers, and blades,…
View more

Global Energy War Escalates: Price Hikes and Instability

Russia-Ukraine Energy War disrupts infrastructure, oil, gas, and electricity, triggering supply shocks, price spikes, and…
View more

Maritime Link almost a reality, as first power cable reaches Nova Scotia

Maritime Link Subsea Cable enables HVDC grid interconnection across the Cabot Strait, linking Nova Scotia…
View more

Marine Renewables Canada shifts focus towards offshore wind

Marine Renewables Canada Offshore Wind integrates marine renewables, tidal and wave energy, advancing clean electricity,…
View more

Sign Up for Electricity Forum’s Newsletter

Stay informed with our FREE Newsletter — get the latest news, breakthrough technologies, and expert insights, delivered straight to your inbox.

Electricity Today T&D Magazine Subscribe for FREE

Stay informed with the latest T&D policies and technologies.
  • Timely insights from industry experts
  • Practical solutions T&D engineers
  • Free access to every issue

Live Online & In-person Group Training

Advantages To Instructor-Led Training – Instructor-Led Course, Customized Training, Multiple Locations, Economical, CEU Credits, Course Discounts.

Request For Quotation

Whether you would prefer Live Online or In-Person instruction, our electrical training courses can be tailored to meet your company's specific requirements and delivered to your employees in one location or at various locations.