Oshawa PUC Networks Inc. has applied to the Ontario Energy Board to increase our electricity distribution rates. Please review the Ontario Energy Board’s Notice of Hearing to learn more and to find out how you can participate in the Ontario Energy Board’s hearing.
To view a full version of the 2021-2025 Rate Application please visit the link below:
Oshawa Power 2021-2025 Application
August 5, 2020
OSHAWA – Oshawa hydro customers receive a new upgrade to their online customer account portal. On July 29, 2020 Oshawa Power launched their new interface MyOshawaPower. The new portal is intuitive, easy to use and provides customers a host of new data that was not available in the previous portal.
MyOshawaPower, powered by Silverblaze, allows customers to compare their usage against the weather, the previous month, the previous year and their neighbourhood. Customers have more control over the administration of their accounts with the ability to grant permission to others to access their account and they can set usage threshold and power outage alerts that can be delivered by email, text or phone.
“We are committed to improving our customers’ experience. With the launch of this new tool, we are providing our customers with useful information not previously available. Through this self service portal, customers can access their account and usage information easily and at their own convenience. Being new to Oshawa Power I am very excited to be a part of this evolution in our customer service capabilities,” states Susanna Beckstead, Vice President, Finance, Corporate and Business Services.
“Upgrading our portal was long overdue. MyOshawaPower advances the services we provide and enhances our future relationships with our customers,” says Ivano Labricciosa, President and CEO, Oshawa Power. “We’re proud that we have the ability to improve services and maintain low rates. Migrating to the new portal helps move our customer service to the next level. Customers don’t want to have to call in every time they have a question, they want to be able to have the answer available and easy to find whenever they need it, and this new portal does that,” continues Labricciosa.
“We are really excited to see OPUC launch their new Customer Service Portal! It has been a pleasure working with their talented team to deliver a great tool for their customer community”, commented the Silverblaze team.
To log in or register for MyOshawaPower you can visit myaccount.opuc.on.ca. The portal is available 24 hours a day.
PDF – Utility launches MyOshawaPower customer information portal
Oshawa Power and award-winning electrical utility that has more than 130 years’ experience of delivering services and bringing Oshawa forward through innovation and technology. Oshawa Power prides themselves on delivering ratepayers safe, reliable service to over 60,000 customers at the lowest rates in Durham Region.
SilverBlaze is an award-winning software innovation, development, and consulting firm. Founded in 1999, SilverBlaze offers comprehensive software solutions for utilities – the SilverBlaze Customer Portal, and SilverBlaze Smart Forms and Workflows.
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Sheila Risorto
Marketing and Communications
905-439-1930
srisorto@opuc.on.ca
Applications for the Province of Ontario’s new COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) are available now. The Government of Ontario is providing $9 million to support residential customers struggling to pay their energy bills as a result of COVID-19.
CEAP is a one time, on-bill credit for eligible residential electricity and natural gas customers to help them catch up on their energy bills and resume regular payments.
CEAP funding is limited. Oshawa Power will process applications in the order in which they are received. Submitting an application for CEAP to Oshawa Power does not guarantee funding. To see if you qualify or to apply for funding please visit www.oshawapower.ca/need-help-paying-electricity-bill
The Province of Ontario’s current moratorium on disconnections for non-payment is scheduled to end July, 31, 2020. In light of the government extension ending in July Oshawa Power is being proactive and working with customers to help ease the burden. Oshawa Power is offering assistance to their customers to help them navigate through this next transition.
If you have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and are having difficulty paying your bill there is help available for you. There are programs designed to help for both short term and long term needs; please visit www.oshawapower.ca/need-help-paying-electricity-bill to see what program best suits your situation or to determine if you qualify for CEAP.
Oshawa Power is working with customers and offering payment extensions to assist customers during this time. You can request a payment extension here and a customer service representative will contact you.
The Province of Ontario’s current moratorium on disconnections for non-payment is scheduled to end July, 31, 2020. In light of the government extension ending in July Oshawa Power is being proactive and working with customers to help ease the burden. Oshawa Power is offering assistance to their customers to help them navigate through this next transition.
If you have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and are having difficulty paying your bill there is help available for you. There are programs designed to help for both short term and long term needs; please visit www.oshawapower.ca/need-help-paying-electricity-bill to see what program best suits your situation. Oshawa Power is working with customers and offering payment extensions to assist customers during this time. You can request a payment extension here and a customer service representative will contact you.
“Disconnecting an account for non-payment is a last resort, it is an option that we would prefer not to use. It is far more productive and less costly to work with our customers to find assistance or arrangements that work for them,” says Ivano Labricciosa, President and CEO, Oshawa Power.
“We are here to assist our customers and we want to remove the unnecessary stress of having to worry about how they are going to pay their bill. I encourage anybody who has fallen behind or struggling to make payments to reach out to our team. We will find a solution. By working together, we can make paying your Hydro bill one less thing to worry about,” continues Labricciosa.
Oshawa Power would like customers who require financial assistance, arrangements or advice on their hydro accounts to contact the Customer Service department through email at contactus@opuc.on.ca or use their online form at www.oshawapower.ca/contact-us. Together with the customer, Oshawa Power will review the account and help develop a workable plan that best meets their situation. Oshawa Power is encouraging customers to contact them to start the dialogue on finding the solution that works.
The current rate of 12.8¢/kWh, 24 hours/day has been set until October 31, 2020. Beginning November 1, 2020 customers will have the choice between the current Time-of-Use plan and the regulated tiered pricing plan. More details will come about those options as the date draws nearer.
Still have questions? Visit our frequently asked questions regarding COVID-19.
OSHAWA – Ontario announces new energy assistance available for residential and small commercial customers. The province previously announced a disconnection ban in place for residential and small commercial customers.
Announced this past weekend, consumption used as of June 1, 2020, the new COVID-19 Recovery Rate of 12.8¢/kWh is in effect, 24 hours a day until October 31, 2020. No action by the customer is required for this rate to take effect.
The province has also announced that as of July residential and small commercial can apply for the COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) to receive a one-time payment assistance for customers struggling to pay their bill. Oshawa Power will share more information about this upcoming program when it becomes available.
Starting November 1, 2020 Ontario hydro users will have the choice between paying the regulated Time-Of-Use rates or pay the regulated Tiered Pricing Plan. As more information is released about this new option Oshawa Power will share.
See the Province’s announcement.
Please be assured that Oshawa Power is ready to support their customers through these new changes. As more information becomes available Oshawa Power will share on their website and social media channels. You can stay current by visiting our COVID-19 information page, visiting our COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions page or you can contact our Customer Service Department at 905-723-4623 or contact us
The Government of Ontario introduced a fixed electricity price, known as the COVID-19 Recovery Rate, of 12.8 cents per kWh, which will be automatically applied to all time-of-use customers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This fixed electricity price will be in place from June 1 – October 31, 2020.
With this, Oshawa Time of Use (TOU) consumers will not be subject to TOU rates and will be paying the rate of 12.8¢ per kWh during this period. Customers will receive crossover bills showing a consumption used prior to June 1, 2020 and after June 1, 2020. As a result, customer will see six line items representing their monthly consumption. See Sample below:
The Government of Ontario has introduced a fixed electricity price, known as the COVID-19 Recovery Rate, of 12.8 cents per kWh, which will be automatically applied to all time-of-use customers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This fixed electricity price will be in place from June 1 – October 31, 2020. As of Monday June 1, 2020, households, farms and small businesses who pay time-of-use electricity rates will be charged 12.8¢ 24 hours a day, seven days a week until October 31, 2020.
With this, Oshawa Time of Use (TOU) consumers will not be subject to TOU rates and will be paying the rate of 12.8¢ per kWh during this period. This announcement eliminates the on-peak pricing of 20.8¢ per kWh for the next 5 months.
Tiered customers will not be affected by the new fixed price. The Ontario Energy Board has extended the winter tier prices and the winter thresholds also remain in place until further notice. By keeping the winter threshold in place, residential customers will have an additional 400kWh/month available at the lower Tier 1 price.
See the Province’s announcement here
Oshawa Power is ready to implement this change on your bill. We are working diligently to ensure this reduction in rate is executed quickly and accurately.
On your bill you will see your consumption that was used prior to June 1, 2020 will be charged at the rate of 10.1 cents/kWh and any consumption used after June 1, 2020 will be charged at the flat rate of 12.8¢.
No action is required by electricity consumers: this change will be applied automatically for everyone paying time-of-use rates, for electricity consumed starting at 12:00 a.m. EST on June 1, 2020.
Oshawa Power will continue to support you through this unprecedented time. We are offering our customers payment flexibility and assistance to those who need it. Please contact our office to see what option is best for your situation. You can reach out to our Customer Service team Monday to Friday 8:30am-4:30pm at 905-723-4623 or contacting us here.
If you require, you can fill out an online payment extension request form at your convenience and a Customer Service Representative will contact you to discuss options.
To get additional help on your hydro bill you can reach out to the following organizations:
Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP)
The Regional Municipality of Durham has launched a Community Resources webpage with information on resources available to support vulnerable and unsheltered members in our community, as well as local community agencies that are actively seeking volunteers to help in a safe way.
Back Door Mission for the Relief of Poverty
Community Development Council Durham
Durham Region Care Mongers – 1-888-573-0982
Oshawa, ON – Recently Oshawa Power, Hydro One Telecom and Cisco Systems collaborated to help the Back Door Mission, located on Bagot Street, Oshawa, with acquiring wireless internet service to support the recently launched the Mission United Project.
Mission United is a multi-agency project created in partnership with CMHA, Durham Mental Health Services, Lakeridge Health, the Region of Durham, and others working in the Back Door Mission space to support increased operations during the COVID-19 Pandemic, including the ability to set up video conferencing with health and social work practitioners from the mission location. These added services will assist the City’s most vulnerable population get the support they need safely.
Oshawa Power has a robust fibre network in the downtown core of Oshawa. In discussions with the Mission’s Board President Derek Giberson, who explained the Mission’s needs, the team started to brainstorm some ideas of how to get internet service to the Mission. Oshawa Power built a wireless building bridge to connect the Back Door Mission building to internet services from Oshawa Power’s location across the street. In partnership with Hydro One Telecom, who also donated their time and services to this initiative and in conjunction with Cisco Systems’ donation of equipment, the Back Door Mission received wireless internet service on May 6, 2020.
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“We are so proud of our team for creating this unique solution and for working with Hydro One Telecom and Cisco Systems to get internet service to a facility that needs it so desperately during this pandemic. The services provided by the Back Door Mission are so essential to our community and I’m glad we were able to enable them to continue their great work,” says Ivano Labricciosa, President and CEO, Oshawa Power.
About Oshawa Power:
Oshawa Power is a regulated utility that supplies safe, reliable, and efficient electricity distribution to over 60,000 customers in the city of Oshawa. Oshawa Power is part of the Oshawa Power and Utilities Corporation family of companies that also provides telecommunications, renewable energy solutions and energy generation projects.
About The Back Door Mission:
The Back Door Mission works to relieve the burdens of poverty and social dislocation within the economically deprived and street population of Oshawa. We provide clothing, lunch, groceries, on-site counseling, medical, and harm reduction support.
About Hydro One Telecom:
Hydro One Telecom delivers high-capacity telecommunications solutions to enterprises, wholesalers and public sector agencies via an expansive fibre-optic network across Ontario and extending into the United States. Hydro One Telecom provides high-speed data networking services for Network-to-Network, Cloud-to-Cloud, Network-to-Cloud and Data Centre-to-Data Centre business requirements and is a wholly owned subsidiary of 2486267 Ontario Inc., which is wholly owned by Hydro One Limited.
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Media Contact:
Sheila Risorto
Marketing and Communications Analyst
Oshawa Power
905-439-1930
srisorto@opuc.on.ca
In the industry, Oshawa Power has been actively involved in influencing policies to bring as much relief to our customers as possible. Oshawa Power is currently advocating for the extension of the COVID-19 Rate Relief Program beyond May 7, 2020 through involvement with industry organizations such as: the Electricity Distributors Association, Ontario Energy Board information sessions and workshops and committee participation with the Independent Electricity System Operator.
On May 6, 2020 The Province of Ontario announced an extension in the relief plan. “The Ontario government is extending emergency electricity rate relief to families, farms and small businesses until May 31, 2020 during the COVID-19 outbreak. Customers who pay time-of-use electricity rates will continue to be billed at the lowest price, known as the off-peak price, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This electricity rate relief, initially provided for a 45-day period starting on March 24, 2020, has been extended by an emergency order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. The rate relief is intended to be in place for an additional 24 days.”
Read more of the Province’s announcement here: Ontario Extends Electricity Rate Relief During COVID-19
As we navigate through these uncertain times, Oshawa Power will be there to keep the power flowing. As the Oshawa community comes together to support each other, be assured that Oshawa Power will be there to support Oshawa residents, businesses, frontline workers, and their employees to get through this pandemic.
Ontario is deferring a portion of Global Adjustment (GA) charges for industrial and commercial electricity consumers that do not participate in the Regulated Price Plan (RPP), starting from April 2020. The GA rate for smaller industrial and commercial consumers (i.e., Class B) has been set at $115 per megawatt-hour, which is roughly in line with the March 2020 value. Large industrial and commercial consumers (i.e.,Class A) will receive the same percentage reduction in GA charges as Class B consumers.
The government intends to keep this relief in place through the end of June 2020, subject to necessary extensions and approvals to implement this initiative. Industrial and commercial electricity consumers will automatically see this relief reflected on their bills. Consumers who have already received their April bill should see an adjustment on a future bill. Please contact us at 905-723-4626 ext 5260 with questions about your bill.
Q1. What is the Government of Ontario doing and why?
Ontario is deferring a portion of Global Adjustment (GA) charges for industrial and commercial electricity consumers that do not participate in the Regulated Price Plan (RPP), starting from April 2020. The government intends to keep this relief in place to the end of June 2020, subject to necessary extensions and approvals to implement this initiative The GA rate for smaller industrial and commercial consumers (i.e., Class B) will be set at $115 per megawatt-hour, which is roughly in line with the March 2020 value. Large industrial and commercial consumers (i.e., Class A) will receive the same percentage reduction in GA charges as Class B consumers.This will provide immediate financial support for companies when they need it most: as they do their part to contain COVID-19 and as they prepare to help get our economy moving again.
Q2. Who will benefit?
Ontario anticipates that more than 50,000 industrial (typically Class A) and commercial (typically Class B) electricity consumers will benefit from this relief. Subject to necessary extensions and approvals to implement this initiative, these consumers would be protected from a marked increase in GA cost caused by the low demand during the COVID-19 outbreak for the months of April, May and June 2020.
Q3. Will consumers be expected to pay back the temporary relief at a later date?
Yes, in 2021, Class A and Class B consumers would see an increase in their Global Adjustment (GA) costs over a 12-month period.The government intends to propose regulatory amendments (together with other amendments as necessary) to O. Reg. 429/04 made under the Electricity Act, 1998 in May 2020. If approved, these proposed amendments would allow the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) to recover the deferred GA charges over a 12-month period beginning in January 2021. Interest costs related to the deferral would not be recovered from consumers.
Q4. Why is this relief only being provided temporarily?
These are temporary relief measures intended to provide immediate financial support for companies when they need it most: as they do their part to contain COVID-19 and as they prepare to help get our economy moving again.
Q5. My company has already been billed for April based on an estimated GA rate. Will I get a rebate?
You will receive an adjustment on a future bill. Please contact 905-723-4626 ext 5260 to discuss further.
OSHAWA, ON – As the COVID-19 pandemic continues we all are adjusting to the new norm. The virus has affected every person and business in some way. At a time when we are learning to cope we are also, coming together as a community.
With more and more people, working from home and students conducting home study, Oshawa Power recognizes it is more important than ever to keep the lights on. With many households and businesses experiencing income reductions steps have been put in place to assist account holders.
“Supporting our customers, both residential and commercial, is of paramount importance during the pandemic. We will do whatever we can to help our customers achieve successful outcomes, which in turns supports our Oshawa economy. Oshawa needs their local businesses in operation when this is all over”. says Ivano Labricciosa, President and CEO, Oshawa Power.
Oshawa Power continues to operate at full capacity, ensuring the reliability and continuity of Oshawa’s electricity supply. The electrical industry is one that already has extensive safety procedures in place and Oshawa Power is recognized as a top safety performer. Oshawa Power has adjusted normal practices to protect our workers and the community from COVID-19. Some of the measures put in place include:
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Oshawa Power has had no reported cases of COVID-19 in the workplace. They will continue to remain vigilant and keep barriers in place that keep staff and the public safe. Public safety and employee safety are always their top priority.
Oshawa Power employees are committed to looking after the Oshawa community amidst the current circumstances.
Using their supply chain process Oshawa Power provided N95 masks and PPE for community partners such as:
In the industry, Oshawa Power has been actively involved in influencing policies to bring as much relief to our customers as possible. Oshawa Power is currently advocating for the extension of the COVID-19 Rate Relief Program beyond May 7, 2020 through involvement with industry organizations such as: the Electricity Distributors Association, Ontario Energy Board information sessions and workshops and committee participation with the Independent Electricity System Operator.
As we navigate through these uncertain times, Oshawa Power will be there to keep the power flowing. As the Oshawa community comes together to support each other, be assured that Oshawa Power will be there to support Oshawa residents, businesses, frontline workers, and their employees to get through this pandemic.
