Rate CB

Rate CB applies to businesses that have a medium or large-power contract under which electricity is delivered, in whole or in part, for cryptographic use applied to blockchains. More specifically, it applies to service contracts for cryptographic use for mining or to maintain a cryptocurrency system in return for compensation, where the installed capacity dedicated to this use is at least 50 kilowatts.

The rate can apply to contracts with authorized demand and may be subject to demand curtailment periods, at Hydro‑Québec’s request.

For more information

For more details about Rate CB, consult Section 1 of Chapter 7 of the Electricity Rates [PDF 1.44 MB].

Other useful information

Requesting electricity service

Cryptographic use applied to blockchains

The use of electricity for the purpose of operating computer equipment dedicated to cryptographic calculations which serve, in particular, to validate successive transactions made by users of a blockchain.

Mining

Operation based on a validation mechanism to add blocks of transactions to a cryptocurrency system, in exchange for miner fees.

Curtailment period

A period during which the customer’s real power demand may not exceed 5% of the highest value recorded during a consumption period included in the 12 consecutive months ending at the end of the consumption period in question.

Authorized demand

A value, expressed in kilowatts, corresponding to either:

  • the maximum power demand recorded between the beginning of the consumption period that includes January 1, 2018, and the end of the consumption period that includes June 7, 2018; or
  • the available power for cryptographic use applied to blockchains at the connection point that was confirmed to the customer in writing by Hydro-Québec and agreed to in writing by the customer prior to June 7, 2018. To avail itself of all or part of this capacity, the customer must submit at least one connection request by March 3, 2022, as provided for in Hydro-Québec’s Conditions of Service. After this date, any power demand that is not included in a connection request is no longer considered to be authorized demand and the associated energy consumed by the customer is billed at the price of energy for consumption above or other than authorized consumption; or
  • the installed capacity covered by a connection agreement signed with Hydro-Québec by a customer selected through a request for proposals.