Rates, Price Drivers and 2026 Rules
Ontario electricity prices from November 1, 2026: TOU, ultra-low overnight and tiered
Ontario Regulated Price Plan prices from 1 November 2026 for time-of-use, ultra-low overnight and tiered, with hours, thresholds and what they mean for your bill.
From 1 November 2026, Ontario's Regulated Price Plan (RPP) prices set by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) are lower than the year before on all three plans. Time-of-use (TOU) is 9.1¢ off-peak, 14.6¢ mid-peak and 18.9¢ on-peak per kWh. Ultra-low overnight (ULO) is 3.7¢ overnight, 9.1¢ weekend off-peak, 14.6¢ mid-peak and 37.7¢ on-peak. Tiered is 11.2¢ per kWh up to the monthly threshold and 13.2¢ above it. Distributors such as Hydro One list these prices as effective 1 November 2026 to 31 October 2027. At the same time the Ontario Electricity Rebate drops from 23.5% to 15.7%, so many bills will not fall by as much as the prices.
This guide belongs to our overview of electricity rates by province.
The three RPP plans and their prices
| Plan and period | Hours | Price from 1 Nov 2026 | Previous price |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOU off-peak | Weekdays 7 p.m.–7 a.m., all weekend and holidays | 9.1¢/kWh | 9.8¢ |
| TOU mid-peak (winter) | Weekdays 11 a.m.–5 p.m. | 14.6¢/kWh | 15.7¢ |
| TOU on-peak (winter) | Weekdays 7–11 a.m. and 5–7 p.m. | 18.9¢/kWh | 20.3¢ |
| ULO ultra-low overnight | Every day 11 p.m.–7 a.m. | 3.7¢/kWh | 3.9¢ |
| ULO weekend off-peak | Weekends and holidays 7 a.m.–11 p.m. | 9.1¢/kWh | 9.8¢ |
| ULO mid-peak | Weekdays 7 a.m.–4 p.m. and 9–11 p.m. | 14.6¢/kWh | 15.7¢ |
| ULO on-peak | Weekdays 4–9 p.m. | 37.7¢/kWh | 39.1¢ |
| Tiered tier 1 | Up to the monthly threshold | 11.2¢/kWh | 12.0¢ |
| Tiered tier 2 | Above the threshold | 13.2¢/kWh | 14.2¢ |
TOU hours change with the season. In winter (1 November to 30 April) on-peak falls in the morning and early evening, when heating and lighting demand peak. In summer (1 May to 31 October) the mid-peak and on-peak windows swap: on-peak is the middle of the weekday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and mid-peak is 7–11 a.m. and 5–7 p.m. ULO hours are the same all year.
Tiered thresholds change with the season too. For residential customers the tier 1 threshold is 1,000 kWh a month from 1 November to 30 April and 600 kWh a month from 1 May to 31 October. Small business customers on tiered have a 750 kWh threshold year-round.
Who pays RPP prices
RPP prices apply if you are a residential customer, a small business or a farm using less than 250,000 kWh a year, and you have not signed a contract with an electricity retailer. If you signed a retail contract, you pay the contract price plus the Global Adjustment instead (see fixed-price contracts vs the default rate).
By default, customers with a smart meter that can be read by time are on TOU. You can ask your distributor to switch you to tiered or ULO, and back. Many distributors have an online form; switching takes effect from a future date, not retroactively.
Why the RPP price is not your whole bill
The RPP price covers the electricity itself, including the Global Adjustment that is blended into it. Your bill also has:
- Delivery: your local distributor's fixed monthly charge and variable charges, plus line losses, approved by the OEB for each distributor.
- Regulatory charges: wholesale market and system costs.
- Ontario Electricity Rebate: a percentage credit on the pre-tax amount.
- HST.
So a 7% drop in the energy price can be a much smaller change in total once delivery and the lower rebate are included. Our guide to delivery versus commodity charges shows the breakdown.
Worked example: same household, three plans
Illustrative winter month, 700 kWh. Usage split is an assumption; check your own in your distributor's online account.
| Plan | Assumed split | Calculation | Energy cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOU | 65% off-peak, 17% mid, 18% on-peak | 455 × 9.1¢ + 119 × 14.6¢ + 126 × 18.9¢ | $41.41 + $17.37 + $23.81 = $82.59 |
| Tiered | All 700 kWh under the 1,000 kWh winter threshold | 700 × 11.2¢ | $78.40 |
| ULO | 30% overnight, 15% weekend off-peak, 40% mid, 15% on-peak | 210 × 3.7¢ + 105 × 9.1¢ + 280 × 14.6¢ + 105 × 37.7¢ | $7.77 + $9.56 + $40.88 + $39.59 = $97.80 |
For this profile tiered wins, TOU is close, and ULO costs more because only 30% of use is overnight and 15% falls in the 37.7¢ window. Shift more to overnight, for example by charging an EV, and ULO can come out ahead. Our TOU vs ULO vs tiered calculation guide shows how to find your break-even.
How the OEB sets RPP prices
The OEB forecasts the cost of supplying RPP customers for the coming year, including payments to generators under contracts and regulated rates, and sets prices intended to recover that cost. TOU and ULO prices are set so that the price ratios encourage shifting use away from the system peak. Because forecasts are never exact, the difference between forecast and actual cost is tracked and recovered or returned through later prices. The OEB announces new prices before they take effect; distributors then post them.
Mistakes to avoid
- Assuming ULO always saves money. The on-peak price is about ten times the overnight price. It rewards large, shiftable overnight loads.
- Comparing a retailer's price with the RPP price directly. A retail contract adds the Global Adjustment on top.
- Forgetting the seasons. A tiered household near 600 kWh in summer pays more of its use at 13.2¢ than in winter.
- Switching plan in the middle of a high-use month without checking timing. Ask your distributor when the change takes effect.
FAQ
When do Ontario electricity prices change next?
The prices posted by distributors run from 1 November 2026 to 31 October 2027. The OEB can adjust them, so watch for announcements on oeb.ca.
Does the price drop mean my bill will fall?
Not necessarily. The rebate fell from 23.5% to 15.7% on the same date, and delivery charges are set separately.
Can I be on ULO without a smart meter?
You need a meter that records hourly use, which almost all Ontario homes have. Ask your distributor if you are unsure.
Are holidays off-peak?
Yes, statutory holidays are treated like weekends: off-peak on TOU, and weekend off-peak or ultra-low overnight on ULO.
Sources
- Ontario Energy Board — RPP prices, plan choice and bill calculator
- Hydro One — posted RPP prices effective 1 November 2026 to 31 October 2027
- Ontario e-Laws — Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998 and Electricity Act, 1998
- Independent Electricity System Operator — Global Adjustment explanation
