Utilities like Hydro Ottawa are continually planning for the future. In addition to developing and revising our plans with a 20-year outlook, we evaluate these forecasts, at a minimum, every five years.
With climate change, increasing demand, and electrification playing major roles in Ottawa’s energy future, these near-term plans help us to identify and fund new technologies and infrastructure so that our community has the power it depends on.
To keep our customers informed, and have the opportunity to weigh in, we share these updated investment plans on a five-year cycle for your feedback. At Hydro Ottawa, we're committed to providing safe, reliable energy to power your home or business. It’s why we're always looking for ways to improve and find energy and cost efficiencies.
We're excited to invite you to participate in our 2026-2030 Investment Plan Survey.
Why your feedback matters
This survey is your chance to help shape the future of Ottawa's energy landscape. By sharing your thoughts and priorities, you'll directly influence:
- Our investment priorities, including how we prepare the electrical grid for the challenges and opportunities ahead
- The rates you pay for the next five years (from 2026 through 2030)
Your feedback will help us strike the right balance between affordability and investing in the infrastructure we need. Above all else, we look at what the impact will be to you, our customers.
The results of this customer survey and how we incorporate it into the investment plan will be shared with our regulator, the Ontario Energy Board (OEB), as part of the rate-setting process.
It’s also important to note that while Hydro Ottawa is responsible for collecting payment for the entire electricity bill, we only retain a portion of the delivery charge that represents 21 per cent of your bill. The other 79 per cent reflects the costs of generating electricity, transmitting it, and for provincial agencies and taxes. It is only the Hydro Ottawa portion of the bill, the distribution rate that is the subject of this consultation.
What we're investing in
Ottawa’s energy needs are changing — and we need to change with them. We need to upgrade Ottawa’s energy grid to be smarter, cleaner and more resilient. As stewards for the region’s electricity, we take our responsibility to provide reliable power to our customers seriously.
All investments as outlined in our five-year plan work together to create a more robust and dependable system. It's a multi-faceted approach that acknowledges the interconnected nature of grid infrastructure and prioritizes building a stronger, more resilient grid for the future.
Increases in rates will be invested back into Hydro Ottawa’s infrastructure, therefore providing more reliable and safe energy. These investments are critical to support the energy transformation that is currently underway. Customers can expect to see:
- Greater electricity supply capacity for growing areas of the city
- Improved system reliability with fewer and shorter system outages
- Enhanced resilience to severe weather events
- Stronger protection for grid assets and customer data from cyber threats
- A cleaner, more efficient grid with modernized infrastructure
Take the survey and win
Completing the survey is easy and rewarding! Residential and small business customers who participate will be entered to win one of four $500 on-bill credits. As you work your way through the survey, which should take approximately 20 to 30 minutes, you can save your progress as you go.
- Survey Dates: September 16 - October 4, 2024
- Survey Link: You should have already received an email from [email protected] with the subject line: "Complete our survey for a chance to win a $500 on-bill credit!"
- Open Access Link: You can also access the survey online at hydroottawa.com/ourfuture
We're listening
We value your time and appreciate your willingness to share your thoughts. Your feedback will play a crucial role in shaping Ottawa's energy future. Together, let's build a grid that's reliable, resilient, and ready for tomorrow.
Thank you in advance for your participation and feedback into our plans!
