Powering Community Well-Being ~
Facts and Figures about Guelph Hydro Electric Systems Inc.

BUSINESS: Municipally owned electricity distribution company in Ontario.

OWNERS: Owned by Guelph Hydro Inc. (100.0 %).

MISSION: Our employees are dedicated to delivering electricity reliably and safely while enhancing community comfort and business profitability. We are committed to providing value to our customers and shareholder.

RELIABLE SUPPLY – On average, customers who experienced an outage in 2008 were without power for 35 minutes.

CUSTOMER VALUE – 91% of customers report being satisfied with services in 2008.

SHAREHOLDER: The City of Guelph is the sole shareholder of GHESI’s holding company Guelph Hydro Inc.

EMPLOYEES: over 90 dedicated and highly skilled employees.

CUSTOMERS: Provides electricity and related utility services to over 49,000 residential and commercial customers in Guelph and Rockwood.

  • Residential customers = 44,250
  • Commercial customers = 4,881
  • Total = 49,131

CONSUMPTION: Total electricity consumption by GHESI customers in 2008 = 1,606 GWh (unmetered load not included)

DEMAND: Peak Load

  • Winter = 248.7 MW
  • Summer = 273.9 MW

NETWORK: Operates out of facilities in Guelph.

  • Size of service area (Guelph and Rockwood) = 94 square km
  • Total kilometres of overhead lines = 429 km
  • Total kilometres of underground cable = 620 km
  • Poles = 10,887
  • Pole-mounted transformers = 1,813
  • Pad-mounted / vault transformers = 3,752
  • Meters = 49,005
  • Smart meters = 250 in pilot project

HEALTH AND SAFETY:

  • Received the Electrical and Utilities Safety Association Zero Quest President’s Award in recognition of the achievement of no lost-time injuries for 500,000 hours, between March 9, 2006 and January 18, 2009. There have been no lost time incidents since this achievement.

ENERGY CONSERVATION:

In 2008, GHESI continued to build on the foundations laid through investment in various programs funded through OEB rates. This included participating in the delivery of five Ontario Power Authority (OPA) funded programs: The Great Refrigerator Roundup, Summer Savings, Electricity Retrofit Incentive Program, peaksaver ™ Residential Demand Response Program and a new program targeting small commercial customers: The Power Saving Blitz. The 2008 program was successful in delivering over $230,000 in customer incentives, with a resultant 800 kW in demand savings and an estimated 5,000,000 kWh annual energy reduction. These programs were delivered with our regional LDC neighbours to provide a consistent approach in the region.

GHESI Community News
7 July, 2010
Heat Wave - Tips for Energy Conservation ...more
...or click here to read our Press Release!


30 April, 2010
Beefing Up Renewable Energy In Guelph ...more
...or click here to read our Press Release!
15 April, 2010
Guelph Hydro Electric Systems Selects Silver Spring Networks for Smart Grid Rollout ...more
...or click here to read our Press Release!
Energy Facts
Half the energy your home uses is for heating and cooling! ...more
Energy Programs