Frequently
Asked Questions
Ontario Wholesale Energy (OWE) is a privately owned, Ontario-based boutique energy retailer established in 2014. We serve 44,000+ small and medium-sized business accounts. We provide small to medium-sized commercial and industrial customers with access to custom wholesale electricity and natural gas supply contracts that were previously only available to large enterprises. We do this through a simple, transparent process. Learn more about who we are and how our services work in the FAQs below.
Jump to a Section:
Company & Background
What industries does Ontario Wholesale Energy serve?
Ontario Wholesale Energy provides energy solutions to a wide range of industries, including restaurants, manufacturing, retail, grocery, automotive, farms/agriculture, property management, and multi-residential buildings. The company focuses on organizations that use substantial electricity or natural gas and value customizable energy planning.
What is a boutique energy retailer?
A boutique energy retailer is a company that provides a higher level of service by focusing on tailored, client-specific energy programs rather than standardized offerings. In this model, the retailer takes the time to understand each customer’s operations, usage characteristics, and contract requirements before recommending an appropriate solution.
Ontario Wholesale Energy operates in this manner. We design energy programs that reflect your organization’s needs, business structure, and long-term planning requirements. To do this effectively, we conduct a free energy audit and review your current bills. This allows us to understand how your business uses energy and to recommend contract terms that are appropriate for your operational profile and planning preferences.
Energy Market & Contracts
What does it mean that Ontario has a deregulated energy market?
In Ontario’s deregulated energy market, commercial and industrial customers have the ability to choose who supplies their electricity or natural gas. This means your local utility still delivers the energy, and provides your billing but your supply price and contract terms can come from an independent energy retailer like Ontario Wholesale Energy.
What types of contracts does Ontario Wholesale Energy offer?
Ontario Wholesale Energy offers fixed-term energy supply agreements ranging from 1 to 5 years. Contract terms are customized to suit your business’s operational requirements and energy consumption patterns.
What is the benefit of a fixed-rate energy contract?
A fixed-rate contract allows businesses to secure a consistent rate for their energy supply over the duration of their agreement. This helps with budgeting and provides stability against market fluctuations, offering predictability with a business expense that can otherwise vary month to month.
What is the Cancel Anytime Program*?
OWE is the only gas retailer to offer a Cancel Anytime Program* (for businesses that use less than 50,000 m3 and / or 150,000 kWh with 90 days’ written notice). This means that if you are not completely satisfied with the rate you are paying, simply let Ontario Wholesale Energy know in writing with 90 days notice, and they will cancel your program with no hidden costs or fees.
What is the Global Adjustment (or GA)?
GA is very complex, but here is a simple explanation:
Everyone in Ontario is required to pay their share of the Global Adjustment. No one is exempt.
The Global Adjustment is the difference between the cost to generate the electricity and what the producers can get for it on the wholesale market. The GA is also used to pay for green energy projects such as wind and solar, as well as conservation programs and infrastructure repair.
Compared to a business that uses an equal amount of on-peak, mid-peak and off-peak power, a business that was on our HOEP Plus program may show a positive differential.
What is the HOEP Plus Program*
This is a program that allows you to pay the same wholesale rates that larger consumers use, along with our small program fee and the Global Adjustment or GA. And, if at any time the plan does not work for you, simply give us 90 days’ written notice, and you can cancel without fees or penalties. This is only available for businesses that use less than 50,000 m3 and / or 150,000 kWh.
What are your license numbers?
Our license numbers are GM-2025-0139 / ER-2025-0135
Customer Awareness & Accessibility
Can small and medium-sized businesses access energy contracts like large corporations?
Yes. Many business owners are unaware that they can access the same type of energy contracts and rate structures as large enterprises. Ontario Wholesale Energy helps small and mid-sized companies gain access to these same market-based options for electricity and natural gas.
Who handles the delivery and billing of my energy?
Your local utility (such as Hydro One or Enbridge) continues to handle energy delivery and billing. Ontario Wholesale Energy supplies the energy under your selected contract, and your utility ensures its reliable delivery. You may continue receiving a single bill that includes both supply and delivery charges.
What types of businesses benefit most from working with Ontario Wholesale Energy?
Businesses with consistent or high energy usage benefit most, such as manufacturing facilities, restaurants, multi-residential buildings, and retail spaces. These organizations value rate stability and predictable energy budgeting.
How does Ontario Wholesale Energy ensure transparency in its contracts?
All Ontario Wholesale Energy contracts are written in clear, straightforward terms with no hidden fees. The company provides complete disclosure of rate type, contract length, and any applicable regulatory or delivery charges before enrollment.
How does Ontario Wholesale Energy differ from the local utility?
Ontario Wholesale Energy is focused solely on the supply portion of your energy, providing fixed-term agreements designed for commercial and industrial clients. Unlike the default utility, OWE allows businesses to select customized contract lengths and rate structures to better align with operational priorities.
What should I do if I have more questions about Ontario Wholesale Energy or my account?
If you have additional questions, you are welcome to contact Ontario Wholesale Energy directly.
For general inquiries, you may email info@ontariowholesaleenergy.com or call 1-844-604-7283 to speak with a member of the Service Excellence team. Our representatives can assist with questions about contracts, billing, renewals, or employment opportunities.
Fixed-Rate Energy Plans
What is a fixed-rate energy contract?
A fixed-rate energy contract is a simple agreement that locks in your electricity or natural gas rate per unit for a set term, usually 1-5 years. Your total bill can still vary based on usage, but your rate stays the same, making it much easier to predict monthly energy costs and plan ahead.
At Ontario Wholesale Energy, we buy energy in bulk and provide access to these wholesale rates for small and mid-sized businesses. It’s about bringing big-business predictability to everyday business owners like you.
How can OWE offer fixed rates if the market is always changing?
We buy energy in large volumes at wholesale prices and negotiate fixed-rate supply contracts in advance. This gives us access to stable pricing even when the market is volatile and lets us pass that predictability on to you.
Big companies typically have energy buyers who purchase power in bulk at better rates. At OWE, we level the playing field by doing the same on behalf of smaller businesses. We act as your partner to give you access to the same kind of rate protection and stability usually reserved for large organizations
What changes and what stays the same if I choose OWE as my energy retailer?
What stays the same:
- Your energy still comes from your local utility.
- Your utility still delivers the energy to your business.
- You still receive one bill from your utility.
- Your service, reliability, and support from the utility don’t change
What changes:
- OWE becomes your energy supplier (the part of the bill that covers the rate you pay per unit).
- Instead of a regulated rate that fluctuates monthly, you lock in a fixed rate per unit for the length of your contract (typically 1-5 years).
- You gain predictability and protection from market spikes.
- You’ll see OWE listed on your bill as the energy retailer.
It’s a simple switch that gives you more control without changing how your energy is delivered or how you’re billed.
Do I still get my energy from my local utility?
Yes. Your utility still delivers your energy and sends your bill. OWE just helps you lock in the supply rate portion of your bill to avoid market spikes.
Will switching affect my energy service?
Yes. Your utility still delivers your energy and sends your bill. OWE just helps you lock in the supply rate portion of your bill to avoid market spikes.
Can I cancel or switch back to the utility?
Yes. Your utility still delivers your energy and sends your bill. OWE just helps you lock in the supply rate portion of your bill to avoid market spikes.
Is this regulated by the Ontario Energy Board?
Yes. OWE is a licensed energy retailer..
Is OWE a trustworthy energy partner?
Yes. Ontario Wholesale Energy (OWE) is a licensed energy retailer regulated by the Ontario Energy Board. We’ve been serving small and mid-sized Ontario businesses since 2014.
We’re also backed by Shell Energy, one of the world’s most recognized names in the energy industry. That means you get the stability and buying power of a global energy supplier, combined with the local support and personalized service of a local Ontario-based team.
What does “Backed by Shell Energy” mean?
Shell Energy is one of the world’s most established energy providers. They are our major energy supplier. This relationship gives our clients the strength, stability, and buying power of a global energy supplier, combined with the personalized service of a local Ontario-based team.
What makes us different?
- Transparent, no-pressure quotes
- Cancel anytime with 90 days’ notice
- 10+ years serving Ontario businesses
- Backed by Shell Energy North America
We’re not a call centre, and we’re not here to pressure you into a decision. Our goal is to help you understand your options and choose what’s right for your business.
Company & Background
How long has Ontario Wholesale Energy been in business?
Ontario Wholesale Energy has been operating since 2014, serving commercial and industrial clients across Ontario with customized energy supply solutions focused on natural gas and electricity.
Is Ontario Wholesale Energy a Canadian-owned company?
Yes. Ontario Wholesale Energy is privately held and proudly Ontario-owned. The company is headquartered in Toronto and serves businesses throughout Ontario.
Is Ontario Wholesale Energy a private or public company?
Ontario Wholesale Energy is a privately owned Canadian corporation. This allows the company to operate independently and maintain flexibility in serving the specific needs of commercial and industrial energy consumers.
What industries does Ontario Wholesale Energy serve?
Ontario Wholesale Energy provides energy solutions to a wide range of industries, including restaurants, manufacturing, automotive, property management, and multi-residential buildings. The company focuses on organizations that use substantial electricity or natural gas and value predictable, stable energy planning.
Energy Market & Contracts
What does it mean that Ontario has a deregulated energy market?
In Ontario’s deregulated energy market, commercial and industrial customers have the ability to choose who supplies their electricity or natural gas. This means your local utility still delivers the energy, but your supply price and contract terms can come from an independent energy retailer like Ontario Wholesale Energy.
What types of contracts does Ontario Wholesale Energy offer?
Ontario Wholesale Energy offers fixed-term energy supply agreements ranging from 1 to 5 years. Contract terms are customized to suit your business’s operational requirements and energy consumption patterns.
What is the benefit of a fixed-rate energy contract?
A fixed-rate contract allows businesses to secure a consistent rate for their energy supply over the duration of their agreement. This helps with budgeting and provides stability against market fluctuations, offering predictability with a business expense that can otherwise vary month to month.
What is the “Cancel Anytime” program?
Ontario Wholesale Energy’s Cancel Anytime option is available only to small-volume business customers (90 days notice, For those customers who use less than 50,000 m3 and/or 150,000 kWh/year). It offers flexibility for those clients to discontinue service without long-term commitment if their circumstances change.
Can I change suppliers while under contract with another company?
If your business is currently under an energy contract, you must wait until that contract expires or follow the terms of cancellation as outlined in your agreement. Ontario Wholesale Energy can help you review your contract’s expiry date and assist with timing your switch appropriately.
Customer Awareness & Accessibility
Can small and medium-sized businesses access energy contracts like large corporations?
Yes. Many business owners are unaware that they can access the same type of energy contracts and rate structures as large enterprises. Ontario Wholesale Energy helps small and mid-sized companies gain access to these same market-based options for electricity and natural gas.
Who handles the delivery and billing of my energy?
Your local utility (such as Hydro One or Enbridge) continues to handle energy delivery and billing. Ontario Wholesale Energy supplies the energy under your selected contract, and your utility ensures its reliable delivery. You may continue receiving a single bill that includes both supply and delivery charges.
What types of businesses benefit most from working with Ontario Wholesale Energy?
Businesses with consistent or high energy usage benefit most, such as manufacturing facilities, restaurants, multi-residential buildings, and retail spaces. These organizations value rate stability and predictable energy budgeting.
How does Ontario Wholesale Energy ensure transparency in its contracts?
All Ontario Wholesale Energy contracts are written in clear, straightforward terms with no hidden fees. The company provides complete disclosure of rate type, contract length, and any applicable regulatory or delivery charges before enrollment.
How does Ontario Wholesale Energy differ from the local utility?
Ontario Wholesale Energy is focused solely on the supply portion of your energy, providing fixed-term agreements designed for commercial and industrial clients. Unlike the default utility, OWE allows businesses to select customized contract lengths and rate structures to better align with operational priorities.
What should I do if I have more questions about Ontario Wholesale Energy or my account?
If you have additional questions, you are welcome to contact Ontario Wholesale Energy directly.
For general inquiries, you may email info@ontariowholesaleenergy.com or call 1-844-604-7283 to speak with a member of the Service Excellence team. Our representatives can assist with questions about contracts, billing, renewals, or employment opportunities.
Fixed-Rate Energy Plans
What is a fixed-rate energy contract?
A fixed-rate energy contract is a simple agreement that locks in your electricity or natural gas rate per unit for a set term, usually 1-5 years. Your total bill can still vary based on usage, but your rate stays the same, making it much easier to predict monthly energy costs and plan ahead.
At Ontario Wholesale Energy, we buy energy in bulk and provide access to these wholesale rates for small and mid-sized businesses. It’s about bringing big-business predictability to everyday business owners like you.
How can OWE offer fixed rates if the market is always changing?
We buy energy in large volumes at wholesale prices and negotiate fixed-rate supply contracts in advance. This gives us access to stable pricing even when the market is volatile and lets us pass that predictability on to you.
Big companies typically have energy buyers who purchase power in bulk at better rates. At OWE, we level the playing field by doing the same on behalf of smaller businesses. We act as your partner to give you access to the same kind of rate protection and stability usually reserved for large organizations
What changes and what stays the same if I choose OWE as my energy retailer?
What stays the same:
- Your energy still comes from your local utility.
- Your utility still delivers the energy to your business.
- You still receive one bill from your utility.
- Your service, reliability, and support from the utility don’t change
What changes:
- OWE becomes your energy supplier (the part of the bill that covers the rate you pay per unit).
- Instead of a regulated rate that fluctuates monthly, you lock in a fixed rate per unit for the length of your contract (typically 1-5 years).
- You gain predictability and protection from market spikes.
- You’ll see OWE listed on your bill as the energy retailer.
It’s a simple switch that gives you more control without changing how your energy is delivered or how you’re billed.
Do I still get my energy from my local utility?
Yes. Your utility still delivers your energy and sends your bill. OWE just helps you lock in the supply rate portion of your bill to avoid market spikes.
Will switching affect my energy service?
Yes. Your utility still delivers your energy and sends your bill. OWE just helps you lock in the supply rate portion of your bill to avoid market spikes.
Can I cancel or switch back to the utility?
Yes. Your utility still delivers your energy and sends your bill. OWE just helps you lock in the supply rate portion of your bill to avoid market spikes.
Is this regulated by the Ontario Energy Board?
Yes. OWE is a licensed energy retailer..
Is OWE a trustworthy energy partner?
Yes. Ontario Wholesale Energy (OWE) is a licensed energy retailer regulated by the Ontario Energy Board. We’ve been serving small and mid-sized Ontario businesses since 2014.
We’re also backed by Shell Energy, one of the world’s most recognized names in the energy industry. That means you get the stability and buying power of a global energy supplier, combined with the local support and personalized service of a local Ontario-based team.
What does “Backed by Shell Energy” mean?
Shell Energy is one of the world’s most established energy providers. They are our major energy supplier. This relationship gives our clients the strength, stability, and buying power of a global energy supplier, combined with the personalized service of a local Ontario-based team.
What makes us different?
- Transparent, no-pressure quotes
- Cancel anytime with 90 days’ notice
- 10+ years serving Ontario businesses
- Backed by Shell Energy North America
We’re not a call centre, and we’re not here to pressure you into a decision. Our goal is to help you understand your options and choose what’s right for your business.
Still Have Questions?
Our Service Excellence team is here to help. Whether you want to learn more about our energy supply options or need assistance with your current account, please contact us directly.
One of our Service Excellence Coordinators will get back to you within one business day.