Request a connection or a modification to increase the capacity of your electrical installation

The first stage in the process is requesting electrical service.

Prepare your electrical installation for connection to the grid by asking a master electrician or a consulting engineer to:

• Perform an inventory of your electrical device (lighting, heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, motors, etc.) and estimate the maximum power demand by adding up the power draws of all devices, whether or not they are used simultaneously.
• Ensure that your electrical installation meets the standards of the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), manufacturers’ recommendations and Hydro‑Québec’s standards and regulations.

To open a file, we must receive an official application from a master electrician (member of the Corporation des Maîtres électriciens du Québec) or a consulting engineer on your behalf using the Régie du bâtiment du Québec form.

At this stage, Hydro‑Québec assigns a technician who will oversee the project until the engineering work has been completed.

You must provide the following in writing:

• Single-line diagram of the electrical installation
• Layout plan of the electrical installation
• Description of loads to be connected
• Any other technical information requested by the technician

The following applies to the maximum amperage supplied to the electrical installation:

• Under Hydro‑Québec’s Conditions of Service [PDF 1 575 kB], three-phase medium-voltage electricity is supplied at a maximum of 260 amperes (A), which is equivalent to a capacity of 11,200 kW at 25 kV.
• If the planned maximum amperage is greater than 260 A, Hydro‑Québec must conduct a special study to determine the voltage level of the electrical installation.
• Single-phase medium-voltage power is supplied by means of an overhead line at a maximum of 50 A.

Based on that information, Hydro‑Québec will process your request and provide you with the following:

• Supply scenario
• Major work estimate (to within ±30 %)

The draft-design stage starts when you agree to the estimate for work to be carried out by signing an agreement to that effect. The Hydro‑Québec technician will be able to give you details about the work to be done.

You must provide the following in writing:

• Your acceptance of the estimate for the work to be carried out
• An undertaking to repay costs incurred by Hydro‑Québec should you abandon the project
• Technical data and engineering plans requested by the project technician or metering technician

You must provide a financial guarantee covering the amounts to be incurred by Hydro‑Québec during the project.

During this stage, the connection work is done and your electrical installation is energized. You must first sign an agreement on the work to be carried out for your project.

This agreement provides for a power commitment according to which you will pay an annual amount, where appropriate, that is determined based on the difference between the average billing demand and the anticipated power demand stipulated in the agreement.

The financial guarantees obtained by Hydro‑Québec to cover the cost of eligible work are returned on an annual basis over at least five years but not more than 20 years.

You may in some cases have to pay for part or all of the work specified in the Conditions of Service [PDF 1 575 kB].

Note: Hydro‑Québec cannot begin work until the applicable agreement for this step has been signed, the amount you have to pay for the work has been paid, the financial guarantees have been provided, the advance required by Hydro‑Québec for construction of the civil works has been received and the necessary environmental authorization certificates have been obtained. The costs are adjusted to reflect actual costs once the work has been completed.

Hydro‑Québec performs an exploratory study to determine the best option for supplying electricity to the site.

To request a study, write to Hydro‑Québec, providing the following information:

• Planned site
• Anticipated power demand, based on 10-year operations forecasts
• Type of facility and process
• Disturbance-producing equipment and sensitive equipment that will be used
• Anticipated number of years of operation, in the case of mining companies
• Any specific needs
• Desired time frame

Hydro‑Québec will then provide you with the following:

• Possible supply scenario for the site
• A very general cost estimate (to within 50%)
• Availability of grid to handle anticipated loads
• Typical timeframe

Hydro‑Québec performs a planning study to determine the best connection scenario.

This study allows us to determine the optimal supply solution for all your loads, the estimated costs of the draft-design phase and project, schedules and technical requirements.

Send Hydro‑Québec a written request that includes the following for the selected site:

• The information in Appendix A, Part 1, of the Exigences techniques pour les installations du client raccordées au réseau de transport d’Hydro‑Québec [PDF 1,079 kB – in French only]
• Information about any specific needs

Hydro‑Québec will then provide you with a summary of the planning study results, including the following:

• Baseline solution for the connection and options
• Estimated costs of the draft design and project (to within 30%)
• Completion schedule
• Preliminary draft-design agreement

Estimated duration of this stage: Hydro‑Québec does its best to provide this information within six months of receiving your written request.

Hydro‑Québec starts the draft design once you have decided to go ahead with your project. In this stage, technical aspects are detailed, a more precise timeframe and schedule are established and project costs are firmed up.

The environmental studies required to obtain government approvals are conducted at this time.

Send Hydro‑Québec a written request along with the information specified in Appendix A, Part 2, of the Exigences techniques pour les installations du client raccordées au réseau de transport d’Hydro‑Québec [PDF 1,079 kB – in French only].

You must also sign the draft-design agreement and provide financial guarantees to cover the cost of the draft design.

During this stage, you must carry out the studies required by Hydro‑Québec to demonstrate that the technical specifications are met and provide any additional information requested, all within the agreed-upon time frame. The studies must be approved by Hydro‑Québec.

At the end of this stage, Hydro‑Québec will provide you with the following:

• Summary of work to be done to connect your electrical installation
• Any special requirements
• Project cost
• Draft contribution agreement

Note: During this stage, you and Hydro‑Québec sign a draft-design agreement to make sure that the actual cost of the draft design will be covered should you postpone or abandon the project. Hydro‑Québec cannot begin the draft-design phase until you have signed the agreement and provided the financial guarantees.

Hydro‑Québec starts the work and energizes your electrical installation once you have signed the contribution agreement, put up the financial guarantees and paid your contribution in full.

While the project is being carried out, you must provide any information requested, perform any technical testing required and comply with any special requirements.

You must also agree to consume a certain amount of power over a given period, at the end of which your financial guarantee will be returned, provided you have fulfilled your commitment.

When the work is nearing completion, Hydro‑Québec will give you an operating agreement to sign.

Note: Hydro‑Québec cannot begin work until the contribution agreement has been signed, the requested contribution has been paid, the financial guarantees have been provided and the necessary environmental authorization certificates have been obtained. The costs and the required financial contribution will be adjusted to reflect the actual costs once the work has been completed.