Ontario extends reduced hydro rates amid Stay at Home orders

The Ontario government has extended electricity relief for residents by holding the rates to the off-peak price for another 12 days.

On Wednesday night, the province said they will hold electricity prices to the off-peak rate of 8.5 cents per kilowatt-hour until February 9, to help those spending more time at home in response to the Stay at Home order.

This lower rate is available 24 hours per day, seven days a week for Time-Of-Use and tiered customers.

“We know staying at home means using more electricity during the day when electricity prices are higher, that’s why we are extending the off-peak electricity rate to provide households, small businesses and farms with stable and predictable electricity bills when they need it most,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines, Minister of Indigenous Affairs in a statement.

“We thank Ontarians for following the provincial Stay-at-Home Order to help stop the spread of COVID-19.”

The off-peak rate came into effect on January 1, 2021, for a 28-day period, providing families, farms and small businesses with electricity rate relief.

The government’s extension now brings the relief period to a total of 40 days.

According to the province, the off-peak price will continue to be automatically applied to bills of all residential, small business, and farm customers who pay regulated rates set by the Ontario Energy Board and get a bill from a utility.