Rate L
Industrial rate for large‑power customers
Rate L applies to an annual contract whose contract power is at least 5,000 kilowatts (kW) and which is principally related to 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 2.31 MB].
Additional 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 medium- or 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. - Demand Response – Commitment Option
If you can lower your consumption at Hydro‑Québec’s request, this option offers a great opportunity for you to save on your electricity bill during the winter period.
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Contract power
Minimum demand that a large-power industrial rate customer (Rate L) agrees to pay and that Hydro-Québec must be ready to supply at any time in response to the customer’s demand.
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).
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).
- 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.
Winter period
Period from December 1 through March 31 of the next year, inclusive.
Maximum power demand
Maximum power measured during a consumption period. It is the higher of the following two values: real power in kilowatts (kW), or a percentage (90% for domestic rates and small- and medium-power rates, or 95% for large‑power rates) of the apparent power in kilovoltamperes (kVA).
Monthly periods
Period of 30 days, which may begin on any day of the month, established by Hydro‑Québec for billing purposes.
Power factor
Ratio of real power (in kW) and apparent power (in kVA). The power factor is expressed as a percentage and indicates the efficiency with which the customer uses the electricity provided. Hydro‑Québec encourages its customers to maintain a power factor of at least 90% or 95%, depending on their rate.
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.