Additional Electricity Option for Photosynthetic Lighting or Space Heating to Raise Crops
An option that allows you to raise crops all year long
Under this option, greenhouse growers can benefit from a discounted price for additional electricity used for photosynthetic lighting or space heating to raise crops, provided that they limit their electricity consumption during unauthorized periods.
If you operate a greenhouse or are thinking about building one and think you will be able to adjust your electricity consumption at our request, this rate option could be just what you’re looking for!
How the option works
Outside of unauthorized periods: The price of additional electricity is lower than the average price at your base rate.
During unauthorized periods: The price of additional electricity is 55.345¢/kWh. You must therefore turn off the equipment powered under the rate option and use an auxiliary energy source such as a generator instead, if needed.
You are notified by email and by phone (call and SMS) prior to each unauthorized period.
This option represents a win-win solution: the lower price rewards you for your efforts, which in turn help us manage the demand for electricity.
Unauthorized periods
Unauthorized periods occur mainly in winter (from December to March), but can occur at other times of the year as well. They last five hours on average and roughly coincide with the morning and afternoon peak demand periods.
You are notified of each unauthorized period by email and by phone (call and SMS). Most notifications are sent the previous day, but in some cases you may receive shorter notice, i.e., a minimum of two hours before the start of the unauthorized period. You may choose to have notifications sent to more than one person.
How to benefit from this option
You must operate or purchase a photosynthetic lighting or electric heating system.
Complete and submit the Information/Sign-Up Request form (see below). We will get back to you within two business days.
Complete and return the registration form that we will send you.
Wait for a confirmation.
It’s as simple as that!
Information/Sign-Up Request
If you have questions about this rate option or would like to sign up, please fill in the form below so that a member of our specialized team can get in touch with you. Normally, you can expect a response within two business days. You can also contact our business customer services at 1 800 463‑9900.
Power is the total amount of electricity supplied at a given time. Expressed in kilowatts (kW), power is the combined effect of voltage, expressed in kilovolts (kV), and current, expressed in amperes (A).
Normally, Hydro‑Québec does not charge for power demand under 50 kW, as is the case for Rate D and most Rate G customers. For other customers, power demand is indicated on their electricity bill.
Your power demand depends on the equipment installed in your greenhouse. If you have photosynthetic lighting and/or an electric heating system, as well as equipment such as irrigation pumps, dehumidifiers or fans, these should create a power demand of at least 50 kW.
To avoid charges related to a minimum billing demand, however, you should keep your power demand below 50 kW during the winter period, i.e., from December 1 to March 31.
How do I know if my power demand has reached 50 kW?
Your power demand data is available in the My Consumption Profile tool in your Customer Space. This tool also lets you track your electricity use on an hourly, daily, monthly or yearly basis.
Your power demand is also indicated on your electricity bill, under the heading Details of demand. If this element does not appear on your bill, it means that you have not reached the 50‑kW threshold.
Do I have to have another meter installed to measure the additional electricity?
No. We determine the reference power with you and then apply the rate option price to your additional electricity use for heating and photosynthetic lighting.
What is a three-phase distribution system?
Electricity can be supplied at single-phase or three-phase voltage. A three-phase distribution system includes three wires separated by a crossbar, while a single-phase system comprises a single wire.
The three-phase system supplies loads with a high power demand, such as large buildings and equipment used by professionals. A master electrician can help you assess your power needs and determine if you should submit a connection request for three‑phase supply.
Single-phase system
Three-phase system
Must I be supplied by a three-phase distribution system to benefit from this rate option?
Not necessarily. The type of supply—single-phase or three-phase—depends on your needs. For instance, the electrical installation of a small greenhouse heated with electricity can comprise a single-phase, 400- or 600-ampere (A) service box. A master electrician or an engineering consulting firm can help you determine what type of installation you require. Note, however, that your eligibility for the rate option to raise crops does not depend on the type of supply.
On average, how many hours per year do unauthorized periods represent?
The timing and duration of unauthorized periods vary according to weather conditions and Hydro‑Québec’s needs. Most occur during the winter. Generally speaking, these periods total about 70 hours per year.
How is the additional electricity calculated?
The calculation is made according to your monthly consumption data, measured and recorded by your meter and based on average values for 15-minute blocks. Consumption that exceeds the reference power is billed at the applicable price for additional electricity. The reference power and the rest of the energy are billed at the prices and conditions in effect for the base rate, i.e., Rate D, DP, DM, G, M, G9 or LG.
What is the reference power?
The reference power reflects the customer’s normal consumption profile at Rate D, DP, DM, G, M, G9 or LG. Expressed in kilowatts (kW), it is equal to the electricity consumption of all uses other than photosynthetic lighting and space heating to raise crops, namely computers, dehumidifiers, air conditioners, irrigation pumps, fans, etc.
Electricity used for the sole purposes of photosynthetic lighting or space heating to raise crops, over and above the consumption of other equipment already installed in the greenhouse, such as fans, dehumidifiers, air conditioners, lighting fixtures not used for photosynthesis, and irrigation pumps.
Unauthorized period
Period of time during which the customer should avoid using additional electricity, since the latter will be charged at a high rate. This period is determined as a function of Hydro-Québec’s load management requirements and power system availability. Advance notice of at least two hours is given to the customer.
Maximum power demand
Maximum power measured during a consumption period. It is the higher of the following two values: real power in kilowatts (kW), or a percentage (90% for domestic rates and small- and medium-power rates, or 95% for large-power rates) of the apparent power in kilovoltamperes (kVA).
Consumption period
Period during which electricity is delivered to the customer and which extends between the two dates used by Hydro-Québec for calculation of the bill.
Reference power
The reference power reflects the customer’s normal consumption profile at Rate D, DP, DM, G, M, G9 or LG. It is expressed in kilowatts (kW).
Power
Total amount of electricity supplied at a given time. Expressed in kilowatts (kW), power is the combined effect of voltage, expressed in kilovolts (kV), and current, expressed in amperes (A).
Energy
Power used by electrical equipment over a given period of time. Expressed in kilowatthours (kWh), energy is calculated as power, expressed in kilowatts (kW), multiplied by the time during which the power is used, expressed in hours (h).
The formula for energy is as follows: energy (in kilowatthours) is equal to power (in kilowatts) multiplied by duration of use (in hours).
