New electricity prices are now in effect for Ontario households, small businesses and farms covered by the Ontario Energy Board’s Regulated Price Plan.
The changes took effect November 1, alongside winter time-of-use hours, a higher winter consumption threshold for residential customers on tiered pricing and an adjustment to the Ontario Electricity Rebate.
The OEB says electricity prices under the plan are lower than a year ago, allowing the provincial government to reduce the rebate to 15.7 per cent.
However, lower electricity prices do not necessarily mean a lower total bill. The OEB says the overall rate of increase for customer bills remains consistent with previous years, with individual impacts depending on electricity use and the utility serving the customer.
For a typical residential customer using 700 kilowatt-hours a month, the rebate will reduce the bill by approximately $23.
Winter time-of-use prices
Customers on time-of-use pricing pay different rates depending on when they use electricity.
The winter rates are:
| Period | Hours | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Off-peak | Weekdays, 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.; all day on weekends and holidays | 9.1 cents/kWh |
| Mid-peak | Weekdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. | 14.6 cents/kWh |
| On-peak | Weekdays, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. | 18.9 cents/kWh |
The winter schedule places the highest-priced weekday periods in the morning and early evening.
Ultra-low overnight pricing
Customers on the Ultra-Low Overnight plan pay the lowest rate overnight, with a higher weekday evening rate.
The following hours apply year-round:
| Period | Hours | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Ultra-low overnight | Every day, 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. | 3.7 cents/kWh |
| Weekend off-peak | Weekends and holidays, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. | 9.1 cents/kWh |
| Mid-peak | Weekdays, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. | 14.6 cents/kWh |
| On-peak | Weekdays, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. | 37.7 cents/kWh |
Tiered pricing threshold increases for winter
Residential customers on tiered pricing can now use their first 1,000 kilowatt-hours each month at 11.2 cents per kilowatt-hour.
Electricity used above that threshold costs 13.2 cents per kilowatt-hour.
The winter threshold gives residential customers an additional 400 kilowatt-hours a month at the lower rate compared with the summer threshold.
For non-residential customers on tiered pricing, the threshold remains 750 kilowatt-hours per month. The same two prices apply.
Comparing plans and finding support
Residential, small business and farm customers can choose between time-of-use, tiered and ultra-low overnight pricing.
The OEB offers an online bill calculator to help customers compare plans based on their usage at oeb.ca/choice.
Information about assistance for customers struggling with electricity bills is available at oeb.ca/billhelp.
The OEB’s winter disconnection ban also begins November 15. Electricity distributors cannot disconnect residential customers for non-payment during the protected period, which runs through April 30, 2027.
