Hydro‑Québec announced on July 4, 2026 that it intends to raise electricity rates for residential customers whose annual consumption exceeds 35,000 kilowatt‑hours, a level that encompasses roughly the top five percent of household electricity users in the province.
The proposed change is part of the utility’s ongoing review of its residential rate structure. Under the plan, only those homes that surpass the 35,000 kWh threshold would see an increase; all other residential customers would continue to be charged under the existing tariff schedule.
Hydro‑Québec, which supplies the majority of Quebec’s electricity, periodically assesses its pricing framework to reflect usage patterns and system costs. This latest review focuses specifically on the segment of consumers with very high demand, identified by the utility as the highest‑consumption five percent of its residential clientele.
The utility has not provided a specific timeline for when the new rates might take effect, noting that the proposal is still under consideration. Stakeholders and affected households are expected to receive further information as the review progresses.
If adopted, the rate adjustment would represent a targeted approach, aiming to align charges more closely with the level of electricity used by the province’s most demanding residential customers, while leaving the broader base of households on current pricing.
The announcement comes as part of Hydro‑Québec’s broader effort to ensure its pricing remains sustainable amid evolving consumption trends across Quebec.