What if making just a few adjustments to how your organization uses electricity could help reduce your costs and boost your performance? That's the whole point of Demand Response (DR)!
Québec's energy landscape is changing
Québec is undergoing a major energy transformation. Sectors like transportation, heavy industry, construction and agriculture are all switching to electricity, and demand is rising rapidly. It's not just about generating more electricity, we also need to make better use of the electricity we already have.
The timing of an organization's electricity consumption matters just as much as how much it uses. Electricity demand fluctuates throughout the day and the year. The most critical periods, known as "peak demand events," occur mainly in the winter, in the morning and at the end of the day.
For businesses, better management of electricity use during these periods can result in significant financial gains. As energy needs rise, every kilowatthour consumed at the right time can help make a difference.
An opportunity to reduce costs
The Demand Response Option enables businesses and organizations to benefit from peak demand events. By temporarily reducing their consumption during these events, they earn a credit on their electricity bill while helping to balance the grid.
In a context where organizations are seeking to control their operating expenses, improve their financial predictability and optimize the performance of their assets, these credits can represent considerable savings.
A simple and rewarding approach
For many organizations, the benefits of the DR Option are unclear. Where to start? Will these measures hinder production or compromise the comfort of occupants? Will significant investment be required to see results?
These concerns are legitimate. When managing a commercial building, a factory, a real estate portfolio or a service company, ensuring business continuity and avoiding unforeseen issues remain essential.
In many cases, the required adjustments are simple to implement and have little impact on day‑to‑day operations. For example:
- In an office building: Adjusting heating and ventilation for a few hours.
- In a factory: Performing certain energy‑intensive activities outside peak periods.
- In a multi‑unit residential building: Adjusting the operation of some mechanical systems without compromising comfort.
A flexible approach: The DR Leeway Option
For businesses wishing to participate, the DR Leeway Option offers a flexible approach that's easy to integrate into operations.
Each organization chooses what works best for it:
- 20 to 100 hours of peak demand events per winter period
- 5 or 7 days a week
It's possible to start with a smaller block of hours, test it out, and then make adjustments gradually.
In return, a credit is granted based on the level of participation: the higher the participation, the more advantageous the credit.
Major gains, quickly
Organizations that implement these measures quickly see benefits:
- Reduced expenses and increased liquidity
- Greater cost predictability
- Sustained performance, with little impact on operations
- More efficient buildings and equipment
Millions of dollars back in organizations' coffers
In 2025–2026, more than 2,500 organizations participated in the various Demand Response Options. Together, they received more than $229 million in credits.
Take action
The DR Leeway Option is within reach for all businesses, regardless of their sector or size. It allows you to start simply, learn as you go, and maximize your savings. Businesses that don't take advantage of it are leaving valuable savings on the table. Those that do take action often seek to go further once they start seeing results.