FYI

Grimsby Power is pleased to offer assistance when you have questions or concerns about your electricity supply.  To save time, please read the following questions and answers before calling to see if your question has already been answered.

What is the Ontario Electricty Support Program (OESP) and how do I apply?

The Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP) is a program designed and implemented by the Ontario Energy Board.  The Program provides a monthly on-bill credit for low-income households to help reduce electricity bills.  The amount of the credit will depend on how many people live in your house and your combined household income.  To find out more about the program and to apply please visit www.ontarioelectricitysupportprogram.ca.

Where can I find out more information about the changes in the electricity system?

If you have additional questions, or wish to learn more about the electricity de-regulation, you can contact the Ministry of Energy at a toll free number 1-888-668-4636 or you can check out their Web site at www.energy.gov.on.ca or you can e-mail your questions or concerns to the Ministry at fyi@energy.gov.on.ca. You can also contact the Ontario Energy Board at 1-877-632-2727 or their website at www.ontarioenergyboard.ca.

To read a brief summary about smart meters, click on the following link:  Smart Meter Information

I have questions about Time-of-Use Pricing.  Where do I look?

Please refer to the following link:  Time of Use FAQs

Do I have to sign with a retailer?

No. You do not have to switch if you do not want to. Grimsby Power will continue to supply you with power at a price approved by the Ontario Energy Board if you do not want to switch.


Why would I want to switch?

You may want to power your home with alternate forms of electricity, such as solar or wind power or you may want to shop around for the best price. Environmentally minded consumers will be able to purchase 'green power', or they may choose electricity generated by using natural gas, or a combination of energy sources.


Will I be able to determine the mix of energy sources that my retailer is offering?

Retailers selling cleaner sources of power are required to meet environmental disclosure regulations in order to be licensed by the Ontario Energy Board. A retailer claiming to provide more cleanly generated power will have to show you the mix of energy sources they propose to use and how it compares to the province-wide average.


Who do I call if I have a service problem, outage or emergency?

You would call Grimsby Power, which still owns the distribution wires and poles and is responsible for delivering power to your home. Grimsby Power is responsible for maintaining the power lines and ensuring that electricity is delivered to your home.


Who owns Grimsby Power?

Niagara Power, as an incorporated company, is the holding company for Grimsby Power and reports to the Shareholder - the Town of Grimsby. Under deregulation, Grimsby Power had to transfer its assets to the Town. However an agreement was made to create a debt instrument which transferred $5.7 million tax-free to the Town. No dollars actually changed hands as a promissory note was created. Grimsby Power pays interest to the Town and reduces the overall taxes payable.


What options do I have for buying electricity?

Most customers have the option of buying electricity in one of two ways.  The first way is through the Regulated Price Plan, where you are charged a regulated price per kilowatt hour (kWh) by Grimsby Power for the electricity that you use. The other way is through an electricity retailer, where you pay the price per kWh as agreed upon by you and the retailer in the contract you sign. 

Customers with large electricity consumption requirements and who have an interval meter, may choose a third alternative where they pay actual wholesale market prices for electricity, which change every hour.

These three options only relate the "Electricity" line of your bill. Even if you sign with an electricity retailer or pay spot market pricing, Grimsby Power continues to charge amounts for the "Delivery", Regulatory" and Debt Retirement Charge" lines on your bill. Along with most customers served by Grimsby Power, you are automatically part of the first option, the Regulated Price Plan unless you choose one of the other options.