On Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, a public hearing in Montreal began to examine Hydro‑Québec’s proposal that could double electricity costs for data‑centre operators. Representatives from Hydro‑Québec, Google and other industry actors are present at the session.
The proposal would introduce new pricing rules for large data‑centre customers, a change that could significantly raise energy expenses for operators and has drawn regulatory scrutiny.
Opposition to the suggested rates has been voiced by major tech companies, highlighting concerns over the potential impact on the sector’s operating costs.