Do you know your Hydro Rates have changed?

Yes, Today is May 1st and Hydro rates in Ontario has changed.

• Off-peak (6.7 cent/kWh), when demand for electricity is lowest. Ontario households use the majority of their electricity – nearly two thirds of it – during off-peak hours.
• Mid-peak(10.4 cent/kWh), when demand for electricity is moderate. These periods are during the daytime, but not the busiest times of day.
• On-peak(12.4 cent/kWh), when demand is highest. The busiest times of day. Generally when people are cooking, firing up their computers and running heaters or air conditioners.

Reasons for Higher and Lower PricesTime-of-use electricity prices are like many cell phone rates, which are cheapest when demand is lowest: during the evenings, on weekends and on holidays.

Likewise, electricity rates in Ontario are cheapest when demand is low. That’s because the province is using a steady stream of its cheapest electricity. This power comes from low-cost sources like nuclear generators and large hydroelectric stations.

As daytime begins, more people and businesses turn on their lights, appliances and devices. At some point, the province will exhaust its supply of cheap power. It then turns to more expensive sources, like natural gas-powered plants-and renewable like wind turbines.