Activity and Program-based Benchmarking Initiative

This project benchmarks costs that electricity distributors incur at a program level.

Activity and Program-based Benchmarking (APB) aims to encourage continuous improvement by regulated utilities and increase regulatory efficiency.

APB is the assessment of utilities’ costs at a more targeted level of a specific activity or program.

Benefits of APB for stakeholders:

For Customers – APB provides consistent evaluation and transparent reporting to customers about their utility’s performance relative to other utilities and relative to previous years. This provides further insight into whether their utility is delivering value in terms that are meaningful to customers.

For Utilities – Utilities can identify and learn about potential areas where there are opportunities to enhance performance. APB highlights the best performers across various activities and programs, and the sharing of best practices of these high performers can lead to improvements across the sector.

For the OEB A well-developed APB program enhances regulatory effectiveness. The OEB can use more proportionate reviews of utilities’ proposed revenue requirements by relying on information and analysis about a utility’s investment planning, cost effectiveness, continuous improvement and operational excellence in meeting customer needs. APB will also support assessment across the sector and comparison with best-in-class performers. APB complements Total Cost Benchmarking, which has been in use for some time, and together they are expected to improve overall regulatory effectiveness to the benefit of customers.

This project benchmarks costs that electricity distributors incur at a program level.

Activity and Program-based Benchmarking (APB) aims to encourage continuous improvement by regulated utilities and increase regulatory efficiency.

APB is the assessment of utilities’ costs at a more targeted level of a specific activity or program.

Benefits of APB for stakeholders:

For Customers – APB provides consistent evaluation and transparent reporting to customers about their utility’s performance relative to other utilities and relative to previous years. This provides further insight into whether their utility is delivering value in terms that are meaningful to customers.

For Utilities – Utilities can identify and learn about potential areas where there are opportunities to enhance performance. APB highlights the best performers across various activities and programs, and the sharing of best practices of these high performers can lead to improvements across the sector.

For the OEB A well-developed APB program enhances regulatory effectiveness. The OEB can use more proportionate reviews of utilities’ proposed revenue requirements by relying on information and analysis about a utility’s investment planning, cost effectiveness, continuous improvement and operational excellence in meeting customer needs. APB will also support assessment across the sector and comparison with best-in-class performers. APB complements Total Cost Benchmarking, which has been in use for some time, and together they are expected to improve overall regulatory effectiveness to the benefit of customers.

  • 2024 Unit Cost Report

    The OEB has published the Activity and Program-based Benchmarking (APB) – 2024 Unit Cost Report, which aims to encourage continuous improvement by regulated electricity distributors. The report includes unit cost results for 2024 based on the latest Reporting and Record Keeping Requirements (RRRs) data.

    The OEB has published the Activity and Program-based Benchmarking (APB) – 2024 Unit Cost Report, which aims to encourage continuous improvement by regulated electricity distributors. The report includes unit cost results for 2024 based on the latest Reporting and Record Keeping Requirements (RRRs) data.

  • 2023 Unit Cost Report

    The OEB has published the Activity and Program-based Benchmarking (APB) – 2023 Unit Cost Report, which aims to encourage continuous improvement by regulated electricity distributors. The report includes unit cost results for 2023 based on the latest Reporting and Record Keeping Requirements (RRRs) data.


    The OEB has published the Activity and Program-based Benchmarking (APB) – 2023 Unit Cost Report, which aims to encourage continuous improvement by regulated electricity distributors. The report includes unit cost results for 2023 based on the latest Reporting and Record Keeping Requirements (RRRs) data.


  • 2024 Survey on Activity and Program Based Benchmarking

    As part of our ongoing efforts to improve Activity and Program-based Benchmarking (APB) monitoring and reporting, the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) is seeking feedback on the understanding and use of the APB from interested stakeholders.

    The OEB has created a survey to assist with this initiative to identify how the APB is used, how frequently it is used, for what purpose and to what degree. The survey also asks participants to identify issues and gaps with the APB, and potential enhancements. This is a voluntary survey and there will be no cost awards for its completion.

    Responses will be used

    As part of our ongoing efforts to improve Activity and Program-based Benchmarking (APB) monitoring and reporting, the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) is seeking feedback on the understanding and use of the APB from interested stakeholders.

    The OEB has created a survey to assist with this initiative to identify how the APB is used, how frequently it is used, for what purpose and to what degree. The survey also asks participants to identify issues and gaps with the APB, and potential enhancements. This is a voluntary survey and there will be no cost awards for its completion.

    Responses will be used to adjust metrics, refine scope, and provide increased value from the APB.

    The deadline for feedback is October 11, 2024. The OEB plans to discuss APB enhancements as part of the annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements consultations which will occur later in 2024.


  • 2022 Unit Cost and Econometrics Reports

    The OEB has published the Activity and Program-based Benchmarking (APB) – 2022 Unit Cost and Econometrics Reports, which aims to encourage continuous improvement by regulated electricity distributors. The reports include unit cost results for 2022 and updated econometrics results using Reporting and Record Keeping Requirements (RRRs) data reported for 2021 and 2022.

    2022 Unit Cost Report - October 11, 2023

    2022 Unit Cost Calculations - October 11, 2023

    2022 Econometrics Report - October 11, 2023

    The OEB has published the Activity and Program-based Benchmarking (APB) – 2022 Unit Cost and Econometrics Reports, which aims to encourage continuous improvement by regulated electricity distributors. The reports include unit cost results for 2022 and updated econometrics results using Reporting and Record Keeping Requirements (RRRs) data reported for 2021 and 2022.

    2022 Unit Cost Report - October 11, 2023

    2022 Unit Cost Calculations - October 11, 2023

    2022 Econometrics Report - October 11, 2023

  • 2021 APB Unit Cost Report update

    Aligned with its 2022-2025 Business Plan, the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) is supporting its strategic goal to drive energy sector performance by further refining its benchmarking approach. Based on feedback received through stakeholder engagement late last year, the OEB is making changes to unit cost formulas of two programs and publishing an updated report that presents 2018 to 2021 unit cost results

    For more information, please refer to the letter.

    2021 APB Unit Cost Report - March 27, 2023

    2021 APB Unit Cost Calculations - March 27, 2023

    Aligned with its 2022-2025 Business Plan, the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) is supporting its strategic goal to drive energy sector performance by further refining its benchmarking approach. Based on feedback received through stakeholder engagement late last year, the OEB is making changes to unit cost formulas of two programs and publishing an updated report that presents 2018 to 2021 unit cost results

    For more information, please refer to the letter.

    2021 APB Unit Cost Report - March 27, 2023

    2021 APB Unit Cost Calculations - March 27, 2023

  • OEB takes further steps to enhance Activity and Program-based Benchmarking (APB) & Sets Stakeholder Meeting Date

    As part of its strategic goal to drive energy sector performance, the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) committed in its 2022-2025 Business Plan to further refine its approach to benchmarking. To that end, the OEB is taking further steps to enhance Activity and Program-based Benchmarking (APB) to encourage continuous improvement by regulated utilities and increase regulatory efficiency.

    Read the letter now.

    As part of its strategic goal to drive energy sector performance, the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) committed in its 2022-2025 Business Plan to further refine its approach to benchmarking. To that end, the OEB is taking further steps to enhance Activity and Program-based Benchmarking (APB) to encourage continuous improvement by regulated utilities and increase regulatory efficiency.

    Read the letter now.

Page last updated: 30 Oct 2025, 01:38 PM