Retail Energy Contracts

You can have your electricity supplied by Guelph Hydro / Alectra Utilities through the Regulated Price Plan where prices are set by the Ontario Energy Board. Residential and small business customers are automatically part of the Regulated Price Plan unless they choose to purchase their electricity from an energy retailer. 

For more information, visit the Ontario Energy Board website or call toll-free at 1-877-632-2727.

You can sign a contract with an energy retailer. Energy retailers are private companies and are not associated with Guelph Hydro, Alectra Utilities, the Ontario Energy Board, the government or any government program. By signing a contract, you are agreeing to purchase electricity at a fixed price for a set period of time. The fixed price is not regulated by the Ontario Energy Board.

An electricity contract covers only some parts of your bill. You will continue to pay other charges to Guelph Hydro / Alectra Utilities even if you sign a contract with an energy retailer. For information about these charges, please contact our Customer Service Department at 519-822-3010.

The Ontario Energy Board licenses energy retailers and plays a role to ensure they follow the laws and rules that protect consumers from unfair or misleading business practices. 

It is worth noting that Guelph Hydro / Alectra Utilities will always deliver a customer's electricity, no matter who they purchase it from.  We do not benefit financially from a customer's decision to sign, or not to sign, a contract with an electricity retailer. 

For more information, visit the Ontario Energy Board website or call toll-free at 1-877-632-2727.

1. As of January 1, 2017, no one can sign you up for an energy contract while they are at your home. They can leave information, but are not allowed to leave a contract
2. Always make sure you get a business card and look at the salesperson's ID badge first.
3. Don't share personal information (i.e. your gas or electricity bill). An energy retailer only needs this information if you decide to enter into a contract.
4. Carefully read any contract, price comparison and disclosure statement provided by the representative. All costs must be included in the contract. The company must provide a price comparison sheet that shows the contract price being offered and the price currently charged by Guelph Hydro. 
5. All electricity contracts, including those entered into online, must be verified by you 10 to 45 days after you've entered into the contract to confirm that you wish to continue with it.
6. You have the right to cancel a contract. In addition to the 20 day "cooling off" period, you have the right to cancel (penalty free) an electricity contract up to 30 days after receiving your second bill. Electricity retailers are also prohibited from automatically renewing an electricity contract.

* These conditions are in accordance with the Energy Consumer Protection Act, 2010 that came into effect in Ontario on January 1, 2011, and the Strengthening the Consumer Protection and Electricity System Oversight Act of 2015 that came into effect on December 1, 2015.

If you are considering signing an energy contract, use this handy bill calculator tool provided by the Ontario Energy Board to see how your bill might look based on a contract with an electricity retailer.

And be sure to read the following information to make an informed choice.

1. Know Your Rights
2. Before Signing an Energy Contract: What You Should Consider
3. After Signing an Energy Contract: The Right to Change Your Mind
4. Nearing the End of an Energy Contract: How Renewals and Extensions Work
5. List of licensed energy retailers

For more helpful information on retail energy contracts, visit the Ontario Energy Board or call toll-free at 1-877-632-2727.