Frigid temperatures expected: Hydro-Québec prepares for high electricity demand
Posted January 22, 2026 8:51 am.
Last Updated January 24, 2026 12:29 pm.
Quebec is set to face dangerously low temperatures this weekend through early next week, prompting Hydro-Québec to prepare for peak electricity demand.
Peak electricity use is expected between early Sunday and Wednesday morning.
As as early Friday morning when the windchill reached minus-20 Celsius, about 1,690 addresses were affected by a power outage as of 9:30 a.m., including 794 addresses in Montreal. The cause of these outages are not specified.
Hydro-Québec told CityNews in a statement Thursday:
“With the cold wave expected over the coming days, we anticipate that we will very likely reach our annual peak electricity demand. We are expecting the demand to surpass around 40,000 MW. For comparison, our historical peak demand was approximately 43,000 MW on Feb. 3, 2023. We are in control of the situation and have the necessary tools to manage the anticipated demand. If required, we will rely on our demand management measures to shift approximately 2,000 MW . These offers including Hilo, Dynamic Pricing and demand response option program are voluntary, and participating customers reduce their consumption during winter peak events and receive financial compensation.”
Hydro-Québec urges residents to take simple steps to reduce energy use and avoid overloading the grid. Suggestions include lowering home heating by one or two degrees, using hot water outside peak hours (6 a.m.–10 a.m. and 4 p.m.–8 p.m.), charging electric vehicles at night, and running energy-intensive appliances during off-peak times. Sealing drafts in homes can also help.
Citizens are encouraged to do their part to help the grid stay stable during the cold snap.
