Rate M
General rate for medium‑power customers
Rate M applies to your contract if your maximum power demand has reached 50 kilowatts (kW) or more at least once during the last 12 monthly periods.
We are launching a pilot project on dynamic pricing for Rate M 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 another rate
Switch to Rate G9
If your load factor is usually below 30%, Rate G9 may be better for you, because, at this rate, energy carries greater weight than power.
For more information, contact 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 M and Rate G9
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% | 10,080 | ||
| Customer 2 | 20% | 20,160 | ||
| Customer 3 | 30% | 30,240 | ||
| Customer 4 | 40% | 40,320 |
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).
Switching to a large power rate
If your minimum billing demand is 5,000 kW or more, Hydro‑Québec will automatically switch your contract to a large‑power rate: Rate L, if your contract is related to an industrial activity, or Rate LG, in other cases.
If your minimum billing demand is just under 5,000 kW, it may be better for you to switch to Rate L or LG. 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.
Planning any changes?
If you plan to buy new equipment, extend your business hours or enlarge or renovate your facility, your use of electricity could increase and it could then be to your advantage to switch to Rate L or LG, or your contract could be switched automatically. 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.
More information
This information has been simplified. For more details about Rate M, consult Section 1 of Chapter 4 of the Electricity Rates [PDF 1.44 MB].
Hundreds of businesses are getting on board the energy shift! Find out more
Other rate options
If you have a Rate M contract, the following offerings may be of interest to you.
- Running-in
of new equipment by medium‑power customers
If you’re putting new equipment or a new facility into service, your power demand could increase for a few months until your operations have been optimized. Under this option, you can be temporarily exempt from certain rate conditions applicable to power billing. - 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. - Interruptible
electricity options for medium‑power customers
If you can lower your consumption at Hydro‑Québec’s request, these options offer a great opportunity for you to save on your electricity bill during the winter period.
How to request electricity service
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).
Monthly periods
Period of 30 days, which may begin on any day of the month, established by Hydro‑Québec for billing purposes.
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).
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).
- 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.
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.
Minimum billing demand (minimum demand)
The minimum amount of power that the customer must pay for each consumption period, regardless of electricity use. The threshold is set so that you pay your share of the costs Hydro‑Québec incurs to meet your 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 the amount of electricity they expect to 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.
Winter period
Period from December 1 through March 31 of the next year, inclusive.
Minimum charge (minimum monthly bill)
Minimum amount billable for electricity service even if little or no electricity has been used in the billing 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.
Transformation
Operation that involves increasing or decreasing voltage through a transformer.