Rate GD
Structure of Rate GD
Billing for Rate GD includes the following:
- An amount for the energy in kilowatthours (kWh) consumed during the period in question. The price that applies depends on the season:
- a price for energy consumed during the summer period
- a price for energy consumed during the winter period
- An amount for the power in kilowatts (kW) measured during the period in question. The minimum billing demand is equal to the highest real power demand during the 24 consecutive monthly periods ending at the end of the consumption period in question.
Rate GD is a monthly rate, which means the amount billed for power is based on a 30‑day period.
If applicable, the following may lower your bill:
Rate GD prices in effect
Breakdown of billing
- Price of energy
- Consumption during summer period 7.271¢/kWh
- Consumption during winter period 18.045¢/kWh
- Price of power $6.143/kW
Applicable in certain cases
- Credit for supply at medium or high voltage
- Voltage of 5 kilovolts (kV) to less than 15 kV $0.6754/kW
- Voltage of 15 kV to less than 50 kV $1.0824/kW
- Voltage of 50 kV to less than 80 kV $2.4165/kW
- Voltage of 80 kV to less than 170 kV $2.9560/kW
- Voltage of 170 kV or more $3.9062/kW
- Adjustment for transformation losses 19.597¢/kW
If little or no electricity is used, a minimum charge is billed. It is $14.344 per month (30 days) when single-phase electricity is delivered or $43.032 per month when three-phase electricity is delivered.
Rates in effect as of April 1, 2024. This table does not replace the Electricity Rates document in any way whatsoever.
More information
This information has been simplified. For more details about Rate GD, consult Section 3 of Chapter 4 of the Electricity Rates [PDF 1.44 MB].
How to request electricity service
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).
Summer period
Period from April 1 through November 30, inclusive.
Winter period
Period from December 1 through March 31 of the next year, inclusive.
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).
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.
- 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).
Transformation
Operation that involves increasing or decreasing voltage through a transformer.
Independent producer
A producer of electrical power who either consumes for its own needs or sells all or part of the electricity it produces to a third party or to Hydro-Québec.
Minimum charge (minimum monthly bill)
Minimum amount billable for electricity service even if little or no electricity has been used in the billing period.
Rate
Electricity rate effective April 1, 2024.