MONTRÉAL – In a major move to manage provincial energy resources, Hydro-Québec has announced a significant increase in electricity rates for large-scale data centers and cryptocurrency mining operations. The government-owned utility released the new rate structure on Thursday, February 19, 2026, aiming to reflect the high energy intensity of these industries and the limited economic benefits they provide to the province.
Under the new proposal, data centers consuming more than 5 megawatts (MW) of power will be charged 13 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh). This is approximately double the current rate paid by large industrial customers. The move comes as Premier François Legault’s government seeks to prioritize “digital sovereignty” while ensuring that high-energy users pay a price that reflects the current value of Québec’s renewable energy.
The hike is even steeper for blockchain activities, including cryptocurrency mining. Hydro-Québec plans to adjust these rates to an average of 19.5 cents per kWh, citing the sector’s extreme energy demand and low job-creation potential. These new rates are expected to take effect in the second half of 2026, pending final approval from the province’s energy regulator, the Régie de l’énergie.
To minimize the immediate economic shock, the utility has proposed a transition period for existing businesses. Current data centers will see the new rates phased in over five years, while cryptocurrency mining units will have a three-year window to adjust. New projects in these sectors, however, will be subject to the higher rates immediately upon the plan’s implementation.
Hydro-Québec officials stated that the adjustment is necessary as the province’s energy surplus has diminished, and data center consumption is projected to increase sevenfold by 2035. By raising rates, the utility hopes to encourage more responsible electricity use and ensure that the province’s green energy is used in a way that provides the most collective wealth for all Quebecers.
