Rate G9
General rate for customers with limited power demand
Rate G9 applies to any medium- or large‑power contract that is characterized by the limited use of power demand.
If you run equipment that uses a significant amount of electricity over short periods (e.g., golf course irrigation pumps, ski hill snow cannons, etc.) then your energy consumption may be relatively low and your load factor (LF) may be under 30%.
Rate G9 is different from the other base rates because it gives greater weight to energy than to power.
We are launching a pilot project on dynamic pricing for Rate G9 customers. If you would like more information about this Flex rate and whether it could apply to your business, please call us at 1 800 463‑9900 or write to us at business@hydro.qc.ca.
Switching to a more advantageous rate
If you are currently a Rate G9 customer and you have improved your load factor (or are planning to do so), it may be more advantageous for you to switch to Rate M or another rate. Discuss your options with your commercial officer or designated agent. Our Business customer services can also be reached at the numbers in the Contact us section.
Comparison of bills calculated at Rate G9 and Rate M
The following table compares four customers with a billing demand of 140 kilowatts (kW), but different load factors.
| Case | Load factor | Energy consumed (kWh) |
Billed at Rate G9 |
Billed at Rate M |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Customer 1 | 10% | |||
| Customer 2 | 20% | |||
| Customer 3 | 30% | |||
| Customer 4 | 40% |
Billing for a 30‑day consumption period with no discount for supply at medium or high voltage or adjustment for transformation losses (rates in effect April 1, , excluding taxes).
More information
This information has been simplified. For more details about Rate G9, consult Section 2 of Chapter 4 of the Electricity Rates [PDF 1.44 MB].
Other rate options
If you have a Rate G9 contract, the following options may be of interest to you.
-
Equipment testing by medium‑power customers
If you have to run short tests after adding new equipment or modifying or optimizing existing equipment, your power demand may rise temporarily. Under this option, you don’t have to pay for the excess power used during the test period(s). -
Additional electricity option for medium‑power customers
Under this rate option, you can use electricity beyond your normal consumption to fill a short-term order or meet an exceptional need at a lower price for both energy and power. -
Additional electricity option for photosynthetic lighting or space heating to raise crops
If the electricity you consume is in whole or in part for photosynthetic lighting (greenhouse growing) or space heating to raise crops and your maximum power demand has reached 50 kilowatts (kW) or more at least once during the last 12 monthly periods preceding the date of the sign-up request, this rate may be advantageous for you.
How to request electricity service
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.
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).
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.
- Low voltage: Voltage of 750 volts (V) or less.
- Medium voltage: Voltage of more than 750 V, but less than 44 kilovolts (kV).
- High voltage: Voltage of 44 kV or more.
Voltage
Difference in electrical level between two points, expressed in volts (V).
Difference in electrical level between two points, expressed in volts (V).
Transformation
Operation that involves increasing or decreasing voltage through a transformer.
Power factor
Ratio of real power (in kW) and apparent power (in kVA). The power factor is expressed as a percentage and indicates the efficiency with which the customer uses the electricity provided. Hydro‑Québec encourages its customers to maintain a power factor of at least 90% or 95%, depending on their rate.
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).
Real power
Amount of electricity consumed in a useful manner to operate equipment, such as a motor or a heating or lighting system. Real power is expressed in kilowatts (kW).
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.