The break you’ve been getting on your hydro bill as the community is urged to stay at home to stop the spread of COVID-19 is set to end on May 7, unless Ontario Premier Doug Ford acts to extend the emergency relief.
Households, farms, and small businesses who pay time-of-use electricity rates have been charged off-peak rates of 10.1 c/kWh around the clock as part of the provincial government’s 45-day temporary measure to help them financially through the coronavirus crisis.
At the time of publication and in the absence of a new emergency order from the province, Ontario’s energy price regulator, Ontario Energy Board, said customers on time-of-use pricing will go back to paying Nov. 1, 2019 prices under the regulated price plan, and customers on tiered pricing will continue to pay the regulated price plan prices in effect today.
For time-of-use customers, this means you’ll continue to pay 10.1 c/kWh during the off-peak hours between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. on weekdays, weekends and holidays.
On weekdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. you’ll pay the mid-peak price of 14.4 c/kWh, and the on-peak price of 20.8 c/kWh will be in effect on weekdays from 7 to 11 a.m. and 5 to 7 p.m.
Residential customers on tiered pricing will pay 11.9 c/kWh for the first 1,000 kWh per month, while non-residential customers pay the same price for the first 750 kWh. Both will pay 13.9 c/kWh for electricity used above those thresholds.
Newmarket-Tay Power Distribution president and CEO Ysni Semsedini told NewmarketToday it has not yet received any direction on time-of-use rates.
“We do know that the government is continually monitoring its electrical pandemic strategy so we would expect to hear something soon on this issue,” Semsedini said. “Answering what happens after the 45 days expires is a little more difficult.”
The government would have the option to extend current pricing, institute a different pricing strategy or go back to standard time-of-use rates, said Semsedini.
“Either way, I can tell you that NT Power will be here to help our customers through the pandemic,” he said. “We have extended our disconnection moratorium until July 31, 2020 for our residential and small commercial customers. Our customer service teams are working with these customers on payment arrangements which include measures such as interest-rate forgiveness, programs for low-income families, equally billing arrangements, and application of deposits.”
“We understand that we are all in this together and we are here to provide the support our customers need during this difficult time,” he added.
Premier Ford’s office did not respond to a request for comment at the time of publication.
However, Ford told reporters recently that he doesn’t agree with reverting back to time-of-use electricity pricing at a time when people are encouraged to stay at home as much as possible.
He said he would be meeting soon with key government officials to find solutions.
The Ontario Energy Board said in a statement that it will monitor the impact of the COVID-19 public health crisis on supply costs and electricity demand, and may make pricing adjustments prior to Nov. 1, 2020, if needed.
The energy regulator notes it is working closely with Ontario on its recently announced $9 million in emergency financial relief for customers who are falling behind in their bills.
“The OEB is working closely with the government to get this program up and running quickly,” the statement said.
