Every five years, local electricity distributors like Kingston Hydro must file a cost of service (COS) application with the Ontario Energy Board (OEB). This process ensures that electricity rates are fair and transparent, and that they support safe, reliable service for our community. But what exactly is a COS, and why does it matter to you?

What is a COS application and why do we do it?

A COS application is a detailed business plan and budget for the next five years. It outlines how we will manage and invest in the electricity distribution system to support safe, reliable service in the years ahead.

Kingston Hydro is now preparing a cost of service application for rates effective January 1, 2028. As part of this process, the Ontario Energy Board will review Kingston Hydro’s planned costs and proposed investments to help determine electricity distribution rates. This review helps ensure rates are fair and transparent, while supporting the long-term reliability of electricity service in our community.

With significant growth expected in Kingston and electricity needs continuing to evolve, this work helps ensure we’re planning responsibly for the future, balancing affordability, reliability, customer experience, and long-term system needs.

Your feedback matters

As we prepare the application, we want to understand what matters most to you. Your input will help us:

• Understand customer needs and experiences, including affordability, reliability, and service quality.
• Identify priorities for the future and areas where improvements may be needed.
• Plan for growth and evolving electricity needs, including electrification.
• Make responsible decisions about budgeting, balancing costs, system upgrades, and future readiness.

Your feedback will directly shape our plans and will ensure we continue to meet the needs of our community.

How we’re gathering input

Customers are invited to share their experiences, priorities, and ideas through a short online survey. The survey takes approximately 8 to 10 minutes to complete. Participation is voluntary, and responses are confidential. The survey will be open until February 20.

Take the survey

This survey is an important first step in our engagement process. The input we receive will help guide the next phases of engagement and support planning work as it continues. In the coming months, we’ll build on what we hear to strengthen our understanding of customer needs and priorities and help inform our approach for the next five years.

Thank you for taking the time to share your perspective. We look forward to hearing your feedback and to sharing our plan with you in the fall of 2026 for additional input.

About Kingston Hydro

Kingston Hydro is the licensed electricity distributor in central Kingston and is regulated by the Ontario Energy Board. It owns the wires, poles, transformers, and meters that deliver electricity from the provincial transmission grid to approximately 28,000 homes and businesses in central Kingston, Canadian Forces Base Kingston, and parts of Barriefield Village.

Utilities Kingston delivers day-to-day electricity services on Kingston Hydro’s behalf through our unique multi-utility model, including operating and maintaining the system, responding to outages, and providing billing and customer support. As a local utility, we also manage and maintain other critical services in our community, including water, wastewater, and natural gas. This coordinated approach supports efficient service delivery and a consistent customer experience across multiple services.