“In Quebec, we generally have the impression that we are already decarbonized because more than 99% of the electricity we consume is renewable. But it is important to understand that one out of every two units of energy consumed in Quebec comes from fossil fuels,” says Cendrix Bouchard, Strategic Communications Advisor at Hydro-Québec.
To further electrify Quebec, Hydro-Québec will need to produce more electricity, but increased production alone will not be enough. We will also need to “consume less, consume better and consume at the right time, particularly during the winter peak periods that are characteristic of Quebec,” says the Crown corporation spokesperson.
Winter Peaks That Put Pressure on the Grid
In Quebec, electricity demand varies significantly depending on the time of day and the season. Peak periods occur mainly in winter, in the morning and at the end of the day, when residential heating adds to other electricity uses. This sets Quebec apart from many other markets, where peak demand tends to occur in summer.
These peaks are not merely a grid issue. Their effects are also felt very concretely inside homes. In co-ownership properties, as elsewhere, electric heating, hot water and certain residential appliances contribute to overall demand, particularly during periods of extreme cold.
This is precisely where private portions can play a role. While common areas fall under the responsibility of the syndicate, individual units are primarily the responsibility of co-owners. Equipment choices, consumption habits and the ability to reduce or shift certain uses to the right time can help ease pressure on the grid while also generating savings on individual electricity bills. This is where Hilo comes in.
Hilo: Automating the Right Actions
Hilo automates the management of smart devices to reduce energy consumption during periods of high demand, namely winter peaks. The service works with Hydro-Québec’s Rate Flex D: electricity costs less for most of the winter, except during peak events, when Hilo automatically adjusts connected devices to reduce consumption.
For co-owners whose units are heated with electric baseboards or a system compatible with the Hilo ecosystem, the process is straightforward: register on the platform, request the equipment, schedule an appointment, and have it installed by a certified electrician. François Baron, Market Development and Partnerships Representative with Hydro-Québec’s Business Customers and Energy Expertise division, previously worked at Hilo and sums up the advantage simply: “Right now, we have a zero-dollar offer, including installation. What more could you ask for?”
With Hilo and Rate Flex D, participants can save up to 20% on their winter electricity bill, or an average of $155 per winter. “And it all happens automatically!” adds Cendrix Bouchard.
Launched in October 2019, Hilo had approximately 20,000 customers in its early days, according to Bouchard. The program has since grown considerably: “The number of customers has nearly doubled in one year, rising from approximately 60,000 in the winter of 2024–2025 to 115,000 in the winter of 2025–2026. Interest is growing, and that is encouraging as we continue the transition in the thousands of homes that have yet to be transformed.”
Individual Steps, but Not in Isolation
Hilo primarily addresses when energy is consumed. The LogisVert program, on the other hand, focuses on the equipment itself. A co-owner can apply individually. The entire building does not need to adopt the same measure at the same time. This distinction is particularly important in co-ownership properties, where needs, budgets and priorities can vary from one unit to another.
Baron acknowledges that buildings can present very different realities depending on residents’ generations, life plans and expectations regarding comfort. One co-owner may want to install a heat pump to improve comfort, while another may see no need to do so in the short term. “The entire building does not need to submit an application. The LogisVert program allows applications to be made at the unit level,” he explains. “However, group applications can also be considered, particularly to simplify certain administrative procedures.” These applications do not necessarily change the amount of financial assistance provided, but they can facilitate support and follow-up when several co-owners want to move in the same direction.
Charging Electric Vehicles at the Right Time
Electric vehicles are also part of this discussion about private portions. In buildings where co-owners have a compatible charging station, Hilo can integrate EV charging into the smart-home ecosystem. With Hilo-compatible charging stations, co-owners can participate in peak events and generate savings, according to information published by Hilo.
For Hydro-Québec, the objective is clear: encourage people to charge at the right time. “The habit we want to develop across Quebec is to preferably charge an electric vehicle at night, outside peak periods,” says Cendrix Bouchard.
In the longer term, bidirectional charging could also turn electric vehicles into resilience tools. A vehicle could then serve as a temporary battery to power a home or support the grid. “Depending on the capacity of the vehicle’s battery, there can be real resilience associated with that,” he explains. Given the impacts of climate change and extreme weather events, this possibility increasingly appears more realistic than futuristic.
Solar Self-Generation: A Development to Watch
Hydro-Québec is also encouraging solar self-generation to make the grid more resilient and gradually enable more customers to produce a portion of their own electricity. “The idea is to gradually encourage 125,000 customers in Quebec to install photovoltaic panels,” explains Cendrix Bouchard.
In co-ownership properties, however, this type of project generally falls under the responsibility of the syndicate, since the roof is typically a common portion. Hydro-Québec can provide financial support for certain eligible projects, but design, technical analysis and installation must be entrusted to qualified professionals in the market.
Toward a More Active Role for Co-Ownership Properties in the Energy Transition
In co-ownership properties, the energy transition therefore does not depend solely on major collective projects. It also takes shape at the individual-unit level through accessible, well-planned actions: improving heating systems, automating thermostats, choosing more efficient appliances or better planning when to charge an electric vehicle.
This is where the concept of the “prosumer” takes on its full meaning. The term refers to someone who does more than simply consume electricity and instead plays an active role in balancing the grid. This can mean reducing consumption during peak periods, postponing EV charging, automating equipment or, eventually, producing a portion of one’s own energy.
“People will increasingly move from simply being consumers to becoming active participants in Quebec’s electricity grid, as is happening elsewhere around the world,” concludes Cendrix Bouchard.
For syndicates, the role is to provide information, facilitate the process when necessary and direct co-owners toward the appropriate programs. For co-owners, fall is a good time to take action: check eligibility, modernize equipment and prepare their units before the next winter peak period.
Private Portions: Where to Start Before Winter
-
Check your eligibility for Hilo
Co-owners whose units are heated with electric baseboards or a compatible system simply need to check whether they are eligible to participate.
-
Explore the LogisVert measures available for your unit
A heat pump, induction range, heat pump dryer or other eligible measures can help reduce electricity consumption.
-
Inform the syndicate
Certain work affecting a common portion, a common portion for restricted use (CPRU), or the appearance of the building may require authorization. In addition, most declarations of co-ownership require co-owners to inform the syndicate of work carried out in their unit.
-
Think about timing
Fall is the ideal time to begin the process before winter peak periods. Now is the time to act.
