Rates for business customers served by off-grid systems north of the 53rd parallel (general rates north of the 53rd parallel)

Rates for small and medium power apply to the use of electricity by business customers when the electricity is supplied by an off-grid system located north of the 53rd parallel, except for the Schefferville system.

North of the 53rd parallel

Map showing municipalities affected by rates north of the 53rd parallel: Akulivik, Aupaluk, Inukjuak, Ivujivik, Kangiqsualujjuaq, Kangiqsujuaq, Kangirsuk, Kuujjuaq, Kuujjuarapik, Puvirnituq, Quaqtaq, Salluit, Tasiujaq, Umiujaq and Whapmagoostui.

Rates north of the 53rd parallel apply to the following municipalities:

  • Akulivik
  • Aupaluk
  • Inukjuak
  • Ivujivik
  • Kangiqsualujjuaq
  • Kangiqsujuaq
  • Kangirsuk
  • Kuujjuaq
  • Kuujjuarapik
  • Puvirnituq
  • Quaqtaq
  • Salluit
  • Tasiujaq
  • Umiujaq
  • Whapmagoostui

See additional rates or options

Energy-efficiency incentive rates

Off-grid systems usually run diesel generators to meet the electricity needs of the communities they serve. The technology used by these generating stations, their need for fuel and their remoteness translate into high generation costs.

In these regions, it’s more efficient and cheaper to heat rooms and water directly with fuel (oil or propane) than with electricity. The same goes for any other thermal application for which a source of energy other than electricity can be used.

Why?

Because it takes a generating station a lot more fuel to generate the electricity required to heat space and water than it does a fuel-fired heating and hot-water system installed in the same room. This also applies to any other thermal application for which electricity is used.

That’s why, north of the 53rd parallel, Hydro-Québec has a rate structure designed to encourage business customers not to heat space and water with electricity, nor to use electricity for any other thermal application for which a fuel would be more efficient.

Business customers in Nunavik who don’t have any government grants are eligible for the Efficient Energy Use Program. Under the Program, they end up paying 30% less than what it would cost them to heat with electricity, no matter how the price of fuel fluctuates.

And if they are eligible for the Efficient Energy Use Program, Hydro-Québec pays the maintenance and repair costs for their heating systems.

More information

To find out more about rates applicable to business customers served by an off-grid system north of the 53rd parallel, see Section 2 of Chapter 8 of the Electricity Rates [PDF 1.44 MB].