Consultants for Hydro-Québec defend proposal to double energy costs for data centres

Two consultants hired by Hydro-Québec anticipate that demand from data centres will more than double between 2024 and 2030. This prediction was presented at a public hearing examining Hydro-Québec's proposal to raise rates for data centres. Quebec's energy regulator, the Régie de l'énergie, is currently reviewing the potential rate increase.

Hydro-Québec engaged Dunsky, an energy and climate consulting firm, to assess how various North American regions have addressed the growing energy demand from data centres. Alexis Renaud-Bezot, one of the analysts, stated that energy consumption from data centres in North America could surge by 133 per cent over the next six years.

He added that other jurisdictions have increased rates for data centres to mitigate the impact on residential customers. Under the proposed changes, Hydro-Québec intends to raise rates for data centres to an average of 13 cents per kilowatt-hour. This increase is roughly double the current rate that data centres pay as large-power customers.