Hydro-Québec seeks rate hikes, promotes energy efficiency

Hydro-Québec has filed a rate application with the Régie de l'énergie, proposing rate increases effective April 1, 2025. The proposed hikes are 3% for residential customers, 3.9% for business customers, and 3.3% for large industrial customers. The increases reflect recent inflationary pressures and align with the 2024 increases for residential and large industrial customers, while business customers face a lower increase compared to the previous year’s 5.1%.

The impact on residential bills is estimated at $2.40 per month for an apartment and up to $7.40 for a large house. Hydro-Québec plans to mitigate these increases by promoting energy efficiency, including enhanced rate options and incentives to reduce electricity usage. Additionally, the company is tripling its energy efficiency budget from $150 million in 2022 to $500 million in 2025.