New Prices for Electricity - April 30, 2012

Starting May 1, 2012, the Ontario Energy Board will put into effect the new prices for Regulated Price Plans across the province. This will affect Erie Thames Powerlines customers. In addition, Summer hours will begin for Time-of-Use customers at the same time. The new prices are:

On-peak (11 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays): 11.7 cents/kWh

Mid-peak (7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays): 10.0 cents/kWh

Off-peak (7 p.m. to 7 a.m. weekdays and all day weekends and statutory holidays): 6.5 cents/kWh

The Summer Time-of-Use hours charts can be found below. For more information on residential electricity rates, please click here. If you would like to speak with someone regarding the new rates, please call 1-877-850-3128.

Time-Of-Use Community Meeting & Information Session: Ingersoll, ON - March 28, 2012

On Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at 7 p.m., we will be hosting our next community meeting on Time-Of-Use electricity pricing in Ingersoll at the CAW Hall (364 Victoria Street, Ingersoll, ON N5C 3K5). We will be giving a presentation on Erie Thames Powerlines, Time-Of-Use Electricity Rates and what you can do to help save energy and save money. Chris White, President of Erie Thames Powerlines, will be available to answer any questions you may have.

Coffee and treats will be provided and we will be raffling off 15 energy savings products. Due to popular demand, please register by e-mail or phone to ensure we have enough seats available. Please call 1-866-765-2217 extension 504 or send e-mails to conservationprograms@eriethamespower.com 

We look forward to seeing you there!

Updated Conditions of Service - January 20, 2012

Erie Thames Powerlines has updated our Conditions of Service. In the latest version, you will find new policies on Opening & Closing of Accounts, Use of Load Control Devices, and revised policies on Security Deposits, Collections and Disconnection.

Please click here to view the latest version of the Conditions of Service

The Conditions of Service has been updated to reflect the ammendents in the Distribution System Code. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at 1-877-850-3128.

Time-of-use rates and the Holidays - December 21, 2011

Electricity rates on weekends and statutory holidays are "off-peak" all day. When a holiday falls on a weekend, the next weekday following (that is not a holiday) will be billed at the off-peak rate (6.2¢ per kWh). This year with Christmas and New Years Day falling on Sundays, off-peak rates will extend beyond the weekend. Starting at 7 p.m. on Friday December 23, enjoy off-peak rates straight through until Wednesday December 28 at 7 a.m. Then again on Friday December 30 beginning at 7 p.m., off-peak rates will run until Tuesday January 3 at 7 a.m. Please see the chart below for a list of 2011 and 2012 dates with all-day off-peak prices in honour of the statutory holidays.

We wish you all a safe and happy holiday season!

Time-of-Use Rates Will Start September 1, 2011 for Erie Thames Powerlines customers - August 26, 2011

Time-Of-Use (TOU) rates will come into effect for Erie Thames Powerlines' customers starting September 1, 2011. The Ontario government has introduced these rates to help smooth out peak demand for electricity.

Under TOU pricing, the cost of electricity reflects the level of demand in the system. During times of day and days of the year when demand and production costs are the highest, electricity rates will be "on-peak" and when production costs and demand go down - in the evenings and on weekends - so will rates.

For example, weekdays during the summer months (from May 1 to October 31) will be divided into three pricing bands that reflect the levels of demand. "On-peak" prices will be applied for energy use from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, when demand for electricity is typically highest. "Mid-peak" prices will apply during the periods from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The following chart from the Ontario Energy Board and Erie Thames Powerlines illustrates the different TOU pricing periods:

The current price of electricity is:

Prices are subjected to change two times per year. See the Ontario Energy Board's website for the most up-to-date prices.

TOU pricing is made possible through the Smart Meter already installed in homes and small businesses in your neighbourhood. Unlike traditional meters, smart meters track the amount of electricity you use, the time, and day of the week you use it, and send that information electronically to Erie Thames Powerlines.

"Smart metering" (smart meters and TOU pricing) is an important step in the drive to make Ontario's electricity system greener, more modern and more efficient. And you along with Ontarians all across the province can contribute to this effort. Smart metering will help you better understand and manage your own household's energy use. The choices you make will have an impact not only on your electricity bill, but also on the demands put on the electricity system overall, as well as the size of Ontario's carbon footprint.

When we all use power at the same time, it can put a strain on the system. TOU pricing is designed to shift some of the energy demand from "peak" to "off-peak" times. A simple change like running your dishwasher after 7 p.m. or doing laundry on weekends can make a big difference.

In the long run, smart metering is one part of a plan to bring a smart electricity grid to Ontario. Some of the benefits of a smart grid include allowing electricity utilities to quickly identify problems and bring the lights back on when there are outages. For more information on TOU visit our Frequently Asked Questions page or call us at 1-877-850-3128.