Rate L

Program for electricity cost reduction applicable to Rate L customers

In the Québec Economic Plan of March 2016, the provincial government announced the implementation of a program to stimulate capital investment by large industrial companies that are located in Québec and are billed at Rate L.

These companies can receive assistance in the form of reduced electricity costs, enabling them to recoup up to 50% of eligible project costs, i.e.:

1. 40% of the eligible costs
2. Up to 10% of the eligible costs incurred as part of efforts to reduce GHG emissions

This assistance corresponds to a maximum electricity bill reduction of 20% for a period not to exceed four years (or eight years for projects worth $250 million or more).

In November 2019, the government extended the program for another four years. Thus, project requests could be submitted to the Ministère des finances du Québec (MFQ) until December 31, 2023. Terms and conditions are available on the Ministère’s website.

Industrial rate for large‑power customers

Rate L applies to an annual contract whose contract power is 5,000 kilowatts (kW) or more and which is principally for an industrial activity.

More information

This information has been simplified. For more details about Rate L, consult Section 1 of Chapter 5 of the Electricity Rates [PDF 1.44 MB].

Other rate options

If you have a Rate L contract, the following offerings may be of interest to you.

• Running-in of new equipment by large‑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 large‑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 large‑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.
• Interruptible Electricity Options for large‑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.