Hydro-Québec announced on Saturday that it is proposing a rate increase for residential customers whose annual electricity consumption exceeds 35,000 kilowatt‑hours. The proposal targets the roughly five percent of households that use the most electricity each year, placing them in a new, higher‑priced tier.
The utility said the measure would apply only to those homes that draw more than the 35,000 kWh threshold over a twelve‑month period. No other residential customers would be affected, and the existing rate structure for lower‑usage households would remain unchanged.
Hydro-Québec, which operates the province's power grid and supplies the majority of Quebec's electricity, is reviewing the proposal as part of its ongoing rate‑setting process. The organization has not provided a specific timeline for when the new rates might take effect, but the plan is under consideration by the regulator responsible for approving electricity tariffs.
The 35,000 kWh figure represents a consumption level well above the average household usage in Quebec, where most families use far less electricity each year. By focusing on the top five percent of users, the utility aims to adjust pricing for those whose demand places a disproportionate load on the system.
Stakeholders, including consumer groups and industry representatives, are expected to comment on the proposal during the regulatory review period. Hydro-Québec has indicated that it will consider feedback before finalizing any changes to the rate structure.
If approved, the new rates would be reflected in future billing cycles for the affected households. The utility emphasized that the change is intended to align charges with usage levels, ensuring that customers who consume significantly more electricity contribute proportionally to the cost of supplying power.