In this paper, we propose a novel hybrid algorithm based on MAX-MIN Ant System version of ant colony optimization coupled with quadratic programming (MMAS-QP). Quadratic programming is used to optimize the Economic Dispatching process and MMAS for planning the switching schedule of a set of production units. The algorithm is implemented in MATLAB software environment for two systems, one is 4 generating units running for 8 hours, and the other is 10 generating units running for 24 hours. The impact of heuristic parameters on the behavior of the algorithm is highlighted through the parameters setting. Results obtained shows improved solution compared to several methods such as Modified Ant Colony Optimization (MACO), particle Swarm Optimization combined with Lagrange Relaxation (PSO-LR), Swarm and Evolutionary Computation (SEC), Particle Swarm Optimization combined with Genetic Algorithm (PSO-GA). The proposed method improves sufficiently the quality of the solution as well as the execution time.