🇨🇦 Cheapest electricity hours in Ontario today
See Ontario's current wholesale electricity price and the cheapest available hours today.
When is electricity cheapest in Ontario?
Ontario's wholesale electricity market is run by the IESO (Independent Electricity System Operator), which sets the Hourly Ontario Energy Price (HOEP) shown on this page.
Ontario's electricity mix is unusually stable compared to many other markets: the large majority of generation comes from nuclear and hydro, both of which produce steadily around the clock regardless of weather. Because of this, wholesale prices tend to be calmer overall, with lower prices overnight when demand drops and this baseload generation keeps running, and higher prices on weekday mornings, early evenings, and especially during summer heat waves when air conditioning demand peaks.
Ontario's retail electricity pricing works differently from most markets shown on this site. Most residential customers pay a regulated Time-of-Use or tiered rate set by the Ontario Energy Board rather than the live wholesale price, and the "Global Adjustment" — which funds contracted and regulated generation, including nuclear refurbishment — typically makes up a larger share of the bill than the wholesale energy price itself.
The price shown here is the wholesale market signal, useful for understanding underlying supply and demand and for flexible use such as EV charging, dishwashers, laundry, and water heating — but it is not a direct substitute for your utility's rate plan.
Frequently asked questions
When is electricity cheapest in Ontario?
Wholesale prices in Ontario tend to be lowest overnight, when demand is low and Ontario's large baseload nuclear and hydro fleet keeps producing steadily — sometimes producing more than the province needs. Prices are usually highest on weekday mornings and early evenings, and especially during summer heat waves when air conditioning demand peaks.
Is this the same price as my electricity bill?
No, and in Ontario the difference is larger than in most markets. Most residential customers pay a regulated Time-of-Use or tiered price set by the Ontario Energy Board, not the hour-by-hour wholesale price (HOEP) shown here. Ontario's Global Adjustment — which covers the cost of contracted and regulated generation — is typically a much bigger part of the bill than the wholesale energy price itself.
Why does Ontario's electricity price rarely spike as high as Texas or Germany?
Ontario generates the large majority of its electricity from nuclear and hydro, both of which provide steady, predictable output regardless of weather. This baseload-heavy mix makes Ontario's wholesale price generally calmer than markets that depend more heavily on weather-driven wind, solar, or gas generation.
What is the Global Adjustment in Ontario?
The Global Adjustment is a charge that covers the difference between the wholesale market price and the guaranteed payments Ontario makes to regulated and contracted power generators (including nuclear refurbishment and renewable energy contracts). For most Ontario electricity users, the Global Adjustment makes up a larger share of the total electricity cost than the wholesale price itself.
Explore other markets
Live wholesale electricity data via Elecz. CheapestHours is an independent electricity timing tool. BotCentrum · Privacy Policy · Contact