Energy Solutions for

Ontario Farms and Greenhouses

Food production depends on reliable energy. Ontario’s farms, greenhouses, and livestock operations rely heavily on both electricity and natural gas to power heating, cooling, lighting, irrigation, ventilation, and storage systems. Volatile utility rates and seasonal price spikes make long-term planning difficult.

We provide access to wholesale electricity and natural gas rates, as well as multi-year contract options designed specifically for agricultural operations.

Ontario Wholesale Energy (OWE) helps commercial growers explore energy options that support stable operations and year-round productivity.

Energy Matters in Agriculture

Continuous, High-Demand Operations: Commercial farms and greenhouses operate around the clock. Whether it’s greenhouse heating, livestock ventilation, water pumping, refrigeration, or controlled growing environments, interruptions are not an option.
Seasonal Load Swings and Weather-Driven Spikes Energy use in agriculture changes dramatically throughout the year. Natural gas consumption rises sharply during colder months for greenhouse and barn heating. Electricity demand peaks during high-temperature periods for cooling or during crop cycles requiring intense lighting.
Operational Risk Without Predictable Energy Pricing Crop cycles, livestock health, food safety, and output quality all depend on stable environmental conditions. Sudden changes in energy pricing make it challenging to plan budgets, forecast margins, and manage future investments.

Electricity and Natural Gas

Wholesale-rate contracts help greenhouses manage year-round demand and support long-term production planning.

Greenhouses
Greenhouses are among Ontario’s highest energy users. They rely on:
- Natural gas for heating, hot water systems, and CO₂ enrichment
- Electricity for grow lighting, fans, dehumidifiers, and climate control systems
Livestock Operations
Livestock facilities require both natural gas and electricity:
- Natural gas for barn heating, radiant tube heaters, and hot water for sanitation
- Electricity for ventilation, cooling, feeding systems, and milking equipment
Crop Farms and Storage Facilities
Crop operations use:
- Natural gas for grain drying, building heat, and processing
- Electricity for irrigation pumps, conveyors, and refrigeration
Food Processing on Farms
Mixed-use farms and small processing operations rely on:
- Natural gas for heating water, sanitation, cooking, and workspace heating
- Electricity for machinery, lighting, and packaging systems
Vineyards
Vineyards use energy for:
- Electricity to power irrigation pumps, frost-protection fans, processing equipment, and cold storage
- Natural gas for building heat, hot-water systems, and temperature-controlled production areas during crushing, fermentation, and bottling

Electricity and Natural Gas, What to Know

Electricity

Across Ontario’s agricultural sector, electricity is essential to powering the equipment, automation, and environmental controls that keep modern farms operating safely and efficiently.

Greenhouses
Ontario greenhouses rely on electricity for the systems that control, automate, and stabilize the growing environment.
- Electricity for grow lighting, fans, dehumidifiers, and climate control systems
Livestock Operations
Ontario livestock farms rely on electricity to power the systems that maintain animal health, safety, and productivity.
- Electricity for ventilation, cooling, feeding systems, and milking equipment
Crop Farms and Storage Facilities
Ontario crop farms and storage operations rely on electricity to power the systems that protect crop quality, support harvesting and handling, and maintain year-round efficiency.
- Electricity for irrigation pumps, conveyors, and refrigeration
Food Processing on Farms
Ontario farms that process food on-site rely heavily on electricity to power the equipment and systems that support safe, consistent, and compliant production.
- Electricity for machinery, lighting, and packaging systems
Vineyards
Ontario vineyards rely on electricity to support both grape production and winery operations.
- Electricity to power irrigation pumps, frost-protection fans, processing equipment, and cold storage

Natural Gas

Across Ontario’s agricultural sector, natural gas is a critical energy source that supports year-round operations, stable temperatures, and essential process heat.

Greenhouses
Ontario greenhouses use natural gas in several critical ways that tie directly to crop yield, quality, and year-round production.
- Natural gas for heating, hot water systems, and CO₂ enrichment
Livestock Operations
In many Ontario livestock barns, natural gas is the primary fuel for space heating.
- Natural gas for barn heating, radiant tube heaters, and hot water for sanitation
Crop Farms and Storage Facilities
A critical input tied directly to crop quality, asset protection, and farm logistics, not just a “utility line item.”
- Natural gas for grain drying, building heat, and processing
Food Processing on Farms
Natural gas is often the main energy source whenever the farm is turning raw product into something more “finished.”
- Natural gas for heating water, sanitation, cooking, and workspace heating
Vineyards
Vineyards operate year-round, and many buildings require consistent heat during Ontario’s colder months.
- Natural gas for building heat, hot-water systems, and temperature-controlled production areas during crushing, fermentation, and bottling

Who We Serve

We support commercial agricultural operations across Ontario, including:

Greenhouses producing vegetables, herbs, and flowers
Dairy, poultry, hog, and beef operations
Large-scale crop farms
Refrigerated storage and cold-chain facilities
Mixed-use farms with integrated processing
Vineyards and wineries

Each segment has unique energy requirements. We help you secure both electricity and natural gas wholesale contracts that match your load profile and operational needs.

How We Support Ontario Producers

Access to Wholesale Electricity and Natural Gas Rates
We provide access to wholesale-energy market pricing, helping farms secure more transparency and stability across both energy sources.
Multi-Year Fixed-Rate Contract Options
Fixed pricing across multi-year terms allows producers to forecast costs, manage seasonal peaks, and make confident long-term decisions.
Contract Flexibility to Match Your Production Cycle
Agricultural businesses operate on annual, multi-year, and seasonal timelines. We help you select contract durations that reflect your planning horizon.
Dedicated Service for Agricultural Operations
We understand the energy patterns of Ontario farms and greenhouses. Our team guides you through your load profile, contract considerations, and risk-management options tailored to your operation.

Why Ontario Producers Choose Us

Built for High-Load, High-Sensitivity Operations
Greenhouses, livestock facilities, and food storage operations have continuous, mission-critical energy needs. Our contracts support stable, uninterrupted operation.
Transparent, No-Pressure Approach
We explain contract options clearly, and as we are a boutique energy retailer, we have the knowledge and flexibility to create a program tailored to your organization’s needs.
Long-Term Stability for Essential Food Production Systems
A wholesale energy plan can contribute to the success of your crop health, livestock welfare, production quality, and the long-term financial stability of your operation.

Talk to an Energy Advisor

Want help reviewing your energy bill? Not sure if a fixed rate is right for your business?

Our team can walk you through your options in plain language, no jargon, no pressure.