Rate G
General rate for small-power customers
Rate G applies to contracts with no billing demand or with a minimum billing demand of less than 65 kilowatts (kW).
In general, Rate G is advantageous for customers whose power demand does not exceed 50 kW. This is the case for about 90% of Hydro‑Québec business customers.
Switch to another rate
Automatic switch
Hydro‑Québec will automatically switch you to Rate M or Rate G9 if these rates would yield savings of at least 3% on your electricity bill in comparison to Rate G. This switch takes the rates in effect on April 1 of each year into account.
When your minimum billing demand reaches or exceeds 65 kW, your contract is no longer eligible for Rate G. It automatically switches to Rate M or, if your load factor is less than 30%, to Rate G9.
Request a switch
With Rate G, the first 50 kW of power demand are not billed. It might be advantageous for you to switch to:
- Rate M, if your power demand exceeded 50 kW at least once in the previous 12 monthly periods (you’ve been billed for power).
-
Rate G9, if:
- Your power demand exceeded 65 kW at least once in the previous 12 monthly periods (you’ve been billed for over 15 kW of power).
- The load factor indicated on your bill is generally lower than 30%.
If you think one of the situations above may apply to you, contact our business customer services at 1 800 463‑9900.
Planning any changes?
If you’re planning to buy new equipment, extend your business hours or expand or renovate your facility, your use of electricity could increase and it could then be to your advantage to switch to Rate M or G9. Don’t hesitate to contact our business customer services at 1 800 463‑9900.
More information
This information has been simplified. For more details about Rate G, consult Section 1 of Chapter 3 of the Electricity Rates [PDF 2.31 MB].
Additional rate offerings
If you have a Rate G contract, the Winter Credit Option or Rate Flex G may be of interest to you.
You could also sign up for the Net Metering Option if you have your own electricity-generating equipment.
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Separate metering
Method of measuring energy consumed with a separate meter for each residential or commercial unit in a building.
Bulk metering
Method of measuring energy consumed with a single meter instead of separate meters for an entire multiunit commercial or residential building. The building owner is responsible for dividing the costs between the occupants.
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).
Minimum billing demand (minimum demand)
The minimum amount of power that customers must pay for each consumption period, regardless of their electricity use. The threshold is set so that customers pay their share of the costs Hydro-Québec incurs to meet their power needs at all times. The minimum billing demand is determined by the conditions of each rate, as indicated in the Electricity Rates.
- For all rates except Rate L, the minimum billing demand is automatically determined based on the previous winter’s maximum power demand.
- Rate L customers must set their own minimum billing demand, called “contract power,” based on their projected electricity use.
Power demand
Power a customer requires to meet energy needs at a given time. The higher the customer’s energy consumption at a given time, the higher the power demand.
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).
Load factor (LF)
Relationship between the energy (in kilowatthours) actually consumed and the amount of energy that can be consumed by using the entire maximum power demand throughout the consumption period. The load factor indicates the utilization rate of maximum power demand for a given consumption period.
Monthly periods
Period of 30 days, which may begin on any day of the month, established by Hydro‑Québec for billing purposes.
Minimum charge (minimum monthly bill)
Minimum amount billable for electricity service even if little or no electricity has been used in the billing period.