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TORONTO — More than eight per cent of Ontario households were in arrears with their electricity bills at the end of 2015, owing more than $172.5 million.

The Ontario Energy Board reports 566,902 homes were in arrears last year, 263 fewer customers than were behind in their electricity bills at the end of 2014.

READ MORE: Hydro horror stories: tales from rural Ontario

The board says any account that is 30 or more days past the 16-day minimum payment period is considered to be in arrears.

Hydro One Networks, the electricity distribution arm of Ontario’s giant transmission utility, was owed $105,583,215 by 225,952 customers who were in arrears, which is up more than 1,750 households from 2014.

READ MORE: Sky-high hydro rates an ‘absolute crisis’ for rural Ontario

Toronto Hydro had the second largest number of clients in arrears, with 60,528 households owing $13,194,511 last year.

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The Ministry of Energy says there are about 4.6 million residential electricity customers, or households, in Ontario.