Ontario Electricity Rates in 2026: TOU, Tiered & ULO Explained
Last updated: July 2026 · Reviewed by Xolar
Ontario electricity rates have climbed steadily for years, and the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) resets the regulated price every November 1. Below are the current electricity rates in Ontario, the peak hours that apply to each plan, how the three residential billing options compare, why prices keep rising — and how a growing number of Ontario homeowners are locking in their cost of power with solar.
Current Ontario electricity rates (2026)
These are the OEB Regulated Price Plan energy rates in effect from November 1, 2025 through October 31, 2026 (the OEB sets new Ontario electric rates each November 1):
Time-of-Use (TOU)
| Period | Winter (Nov 1 – Apr 30) | Summer (May 1 – Oct 31) | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Off-peak | Weekdays 7 p.m.–7 a.m.; weekends & holidays all day | Weekdays 7 p.m.–7 a.m.; weekends & holidays all day | 9.8¢/kWh |
| Mid-peak | Weekdays 11 a.m.–5 p.m. | Weekdays 7–11 a.m. and 5–7 p.m. | 15.7¢/kWh |
| On-peak | Weekdays 7–11 a.m. and 5–7 p.m. | Weekdays 11 a.m.–5 p.m. | 20.3¢/kWh |
Mid-peak and on-peak windows trade places seasonally: the OEB switches them on May 1 and November 1. Off-peak hours stay the same all year.
Tiered
| Tier | Threshold | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Residential — first 1,000 kWh/month in winter, first 600 kWh/month in summer | 12.0¢/kWh |
| Tier 2 | Residential — electricity used above the monthly threshold | 14.2¢/kWh |
Ultra-Low Overnight (ULO)
| Period | Hours (all year) | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Ultra-low overnight | Every day 11 p.m.–7 a.m. | 3.9¢/kWh |
| Weekend off-peak | Weekends & holidays 7 a.m.–11 p.m. | 9.8¢/kWh |
| Mid-peak | Weekdays 7 a.m.–4 p.m. and 9–11 p.m. | 15.7¢/kWh |
| On-peak | Weekdays 4–9 p.m. | 39.1¢/kWh |
These are the energy (supply) rates only. Your total bill also includes delivery, regulatory and other charges.
When are Ontario’s peak hours?
Peak hours are the windows when each kWh costs the most. They are set province-wide by the OEB, so the same peak hours apply whether your utility is Toronto Hydro, Hydro One, Hydro Ottawa, Alectra, London Hydro or Oakville Hydro — only the delivery charges differ.
- TOU on-peak (20.3¢): weekdays 11 a.m.–5 p.m. from May 1 to October 31; weekdays 7–11 a.m. and 5–7 p.m. from November 1 to April 30.
- ULO on-peak (39.1¢): weekdays 4–9 p.m., year-round — the single most expensive window in Ontario, roughly ten times the overnight rate.
- Off-peak (9.8¢): weekdays 7 p.m.–7 a.m. plus weekends and holidays all day on TOU.
Shifting laundry, dishwashing and EV charging out of the on-peak window is the simplest way to cut a bill. Solar goes further: it generates straight through the summer 11 a.m.–5 p.m. on-peak window, offsetting your most expensive power at exactly the hours you are paying the most for it.
The three billing plans — which suits you?
- Time-of-Use (TOU): price depends on the time of day. Best if you can shift laundry, EV charging and other big loads to off-peak evenings and weekends.
- Tiered: one price up to a monthly threshold, a higher price above it. Best if your usage is steady and hard to time-shift.
- Ultra-Low Overnight (ULO): a very cheap overnight rate (3.9¢) in exchange for a steep weekday on-peak rate (39.1¢). Ideal for overnight EV charging or homes with a battery that charges overnight.
You can switch plans through your utility. Solar changes the math on all three — see below.
Toronto Hydro, Hydro One and your local utility
The energy rates above are set province-wide by the OEB, but your total bill also includes delivery charges that vary by utility — Toronto Hydro, Hydro One, Alectra, Hydro Ottawa, London Hydro, Oakville Hydro and Milton Hydro each set their own delivery rates. That’s why two Ontario homes using the same power can pay different amounts. Solar reduces the energy you buy on every plan and utility.
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Why Ontario electricity rates keep rising
Pandemic-era measures held rates down temporarily; since then they’ve returned to a steady climb. Ontario’s grid also needs significant investment for maintenance and capacity — in some neighbourhoods the infrastructure is already at capacity. The OEB’s annual November 1 reset has trended upward, and most forecasts expect that to continue.
How solar protects you from rate increases
The upcoming rate hikes are far less noticeable to homeowners who generate their own power. By paying a fixed cost to install solar, you effectively freeze a large share of your electricity cost for 25+ years — and every future rate increase makes that investment more valuable. It’s common for Ontario homeowners to offset 90% or more of their annual electricity with solar, and provincial rebates (see below) bring the upfront cost well within reach.
See the solar rebates available in Ontario → or get a tailored solar quote for your home →. New to the incentive landscape• Read our guide to the Canada Greener Homes programs and what replaced them.
Frequently asked questions
What are the current electricity rates in Ontario?
As of the OEB plan in effect to October 31, 2026: TOU is 9.8¢ off-peak / 15.7¢ mid-peak / 20.3¢ on-peak; Tiered is 12.0¢ (Tier 1) / 14.2¢ (Tier 2); ULO is 3.9¢ overnight, 9.8¢ weekend off-peak, 15.7¢ mid-peak and 39.1¢ weekday on-peak. Energy charges only.
What are Ontario’s peak hours?
On Time-of-Use, on-peak is weekdays 11 a.m.–5 p.m. in summer (May 1–Oct 31) and weekdays 7–11 a.m. plus 5–7 p.m. in winter (Nov 1–Apr 30). On Ultra-Low Overnight, on-peak is weekdays 4–9 p.m. all year. Weekends and holidays are off-peak all day on TOU. These hours are the same across Toronto Hydro, Hydro One and every other Ontario utility.
When do Ontario electricity rates change?
The OEB updates Regulated Price Plan rates every November 1, and switches the TOU mid-peak and on-peak time windows seasonally on May 1 and November 1.
Which plan is cheapest?
It depends on your usage pattern. ULO rewards overnight-heavy homes (EVs, batteries); TOU rewards those who shift usage off-peak; Tiered suits steady users. Solar lowers your cost on all three.
Does solar help with rising rates?
Yes — solar fixes a large share of your electricity cost for decades, so future OEB increases affect you far less. Get a quote.
Talk to Xolar
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