Becoming a customer-generator

Hydro‑Québec supports customer-generators by giving them ways to act on their convictions: using renewable energy, leveraging state-of-the-art technology and going even further to manage their consumption by integrating their production equipment to Hydro‑Québec’s grid.

Interested in self-generation? Visit Hydro‑Québec’s Self-Generation site to find out if your project is eligible for the self-generation without compensation plan or Hydro‑Québec’s net metering option and to learn about all the conditions and how to proceed.

If you wish to become a customer-generator, there is a specific procedure to follow. To avoid any unpleasant surprises, be sure to take the steps listed below before you purchase any equipment.

Things to do before submitting your project

Depending on the nature and complexity of your plans, you may wish to consult experts like power-generating equipment vendors, master electricians and engineers. You should also check municipal, provincial and federal regulations applicable to the system that you want to install.

Before purchasing your equipment

  1. Check whether your project qualifies for the net metering option.
  2. Read the information document and reference guide (both in French only), which will help you determine how to proceed.
  3. Choose the most appropriate energy source for your needs and an equipment supplier.

Note:

We suggest that you submit your proposal to Hydro‑Québec before purchasing any equipment so that we can answer your questions or tell you whether some of your expectations are realistic.

  1. Fill out and send us your Net Metering Enrollment Application [PDF 319 Ko] including a description of the equipment that you plan to purchase, for Hydro‑Québec’s technical review.
  2. Once your application has been approved by Hydro‑Québec, you will receive authorization to connect your installation to the grid.
  3. With the authorization in hand, you will be able to purchase your generating equipment and have it installed.
  4. A master electrician will check whether your installation is compliant and produce a report. You must send the report to Hydro‑Québec by e-mail, at hq_autoproduction@hydro.qc.ca, or by regular mail, at the following address:

    2625, boul. Lebourgneuf, Rez-de-chaussée
    Québec (Québec) G2C 1P1

For further information, see our brochure Net Metering Rate Option for Self-Generators [PDF 1.51 Mo].

Before purchasing your equipment

  1. Check whether your project qualifies for the self-generation without compensation plan.
  2. Read the information document and reference guide (both in French only), which will help you determine how to proceed.
  3. Choose the most appropriate energy source for your needs and an equipment supplier.

Note:

We recommend that you submit your project to Hydro‑Québec before purchasing any equipment so that we can answer your questions or tell you whether some of your expectations are realistic.

  1. Grid integration request

Note:

Please allow two to three weeks for your application to be processed.

  1. Grid integration study
    • After you submit your grid integration request, Hydro‑Québec will send you an estimate of the cost of the grid integration study, which you must sign and return by mail to the following address:

      2625 boul. Lebourgneuf, Rez-de-chaussée
      Québec (Québec) G2C 1P1
    • By signing this document, you are asking Hydro‑Québec to conduct the grid integration study and provide an estimate of grid integration costs, and you are agreeing to pay the costs incurred by Hydro‑Québec for this study, even if you should decide along the way to cancel your request.
  2. Grid integration request
    • You must sign and return the Coûts de l’intégration d’équipements de production d’électricité au réseau d’Hydro‑Québec [Costs of integrating electricity generating equipment to the Hydro‑Québec system] (in French only) agreement.
    • At this step, you must also pay the total costs estimated by Hydro‑Québec, including the costs incurred to conduct the grid integration study.

Note:

Hydro‑Québec will provide an estimate of project costs. However, you will have to pay all costs actually incurred by Hydro‑Québec throughout the project.

  1. Grid integration
    • Following the technical review of your project and the approval of your grid integration request, Hydro‑Québec will proceed with the grid integration. Once this is done, Hydro‑Québec will send you the Autorisation relative au raccordement d’équipements de production d’électricité au réseau d’Hydro‑Québec [Authorization to connect electricity generating equipment to the Hydro‑Québec system]
      (in French only) letter for your files.
  2. Authorization to generate electricity
    • As soon as you have received the Autorisation relative au raccordement d’équipements de production d’électricité au réseau d’Hydro‑Québec letter, you can start operating your grid-integrated power-generating facilities.
    • Upon completion of the project, Hydro‑Québec will compare the estimated costs with those actually incurred and send you a final statement indicating the balance due or credit, as the case may be.