Ontario electricity prices going up Nov. 1
Electricity rates across Ontario are about to change.
The Ontario Energy Board (OEB) says new prices under the province’s regulated price plan will take effect on November 1. These changes affect most homes, small businesses, and farms.
Most customers in Ontario pay time-of-use rates, where the price depends on when you use power. Others choose ultra-low overnight or tiered plans. Tiered pricing means you pay one rate up to a certain amount of electricity use, and a higher rate after that.
No matter which plan you’re on, rates are going up this fall. The OEB says higher generation costs and conservation program expenses are the main reasons.
New electricity rates starting November 1
Time-of-use plan:
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Off-peak: 9.8¢/kWh (up 2.2¢)
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Mid-peak: 15.7¢/kWh (up 3.5¢)
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On-peak: 20.3¢/kWh (up 4.5¢)
Ultra-low overnight plan:
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Ultra-low overnight: 3.9¢/kWh (up 1.1¢)
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Weekend off-peak: 9.8¢/kWh (up 2.2¢)
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Mid-peak: 15.7¢/kWh (up 3.5¢)
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On-peak: 39.1¢/kWh (up 10.7¢)
Tiered plan:
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Lower tier: 12.0¢/kWh (up 2.7¢)
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Higher tier: 14.2¢/kWh (up 3.2¢)
Rebate increasing to help with higher costs
To help offset the price increases, the Ontario Electricity Rebate will rise from 13.1% to 23.5% on November 1.
This rebate appears as a credit on your electricity bill. According to the OEB, a typical household using 700 kWh a month will now save about $36 per month, up from $17.
Winter hours and thresholds coming November 1
The change in seasons also brings new winter pricing hours for time-of-use customers.
From November 1 to April 30, winter hours are:
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Off-peak: 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. (same as summer)
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Mid-peak: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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On-peak: 7–11 a.m. and 5–7 p.m.
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Weekends and holidays: Off-peak all day
For those on tiered pricing, the winter threshold will increase to 1,000 kWh before the higher rate kicks in. This allows households to use more electricity at the lower rate during the colder months.
Ultra-low overnight pricing stays the same all year.
