Residents in Kingston will see new electricity rates starting May 1, 2026, as Utilities Kingston transitions to its summer pricing structure.
Under the new summer schedule, electricity usage will be charged based on the time of day to reflect seasonal demand patterns, which are largely driven by air conditioning use across Ontario. On-peak rates of 20.3 cents per kilowatt-hour will be in effect on weekday afternoons from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mid-peak electricity will cost 15.7 cents per kilowatt-hour, while off-peak rates—which apply during weeknights from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. and all day on weekends and holidays—are set at 9.8 cents per kilowatt-hour.
For households on the tiered pricing plan, the summer threshold for lower-cost electricity is changing. From May 1 to October 31, customers will pay 12.0 cents per kilowatt-hour for the first 600 kilowatt-hours used each month. Electricity usage above that 600 kilowatt-hour limit will be charged at a rate of 14.2 cents per kilowatt-hour.
These rates are set by the Ontario Energy Board, which manages electricity pricing for residents across the province. To help manage costs following a significant provincial rate adjustment last November, the government currently provides the Ontario Electricity Rebate, which offers a 23.5% reduction on bills for eligible residential and small business customers.
Kingston Hydro serves approximately 28,000 homes and businesses throughout the region. Residents looking to lower their monthly energy bills may find it helpful to shift high-energy household tasks, such as running the dishwasher or doing laundry, to the off-peak hours during evenings and weekends.
