Manitoba Hydro recently applied to the Public Utilities Board of Manitoba (PUB) for approval of rate increases of 3.95% in 2015 and 2016, effective April 1 each year.
“These increases are required for the continued safe, reliable supply of electricity to Manitobans,” said Scott Thomson, Manitoba Hydro President and CEO.
Even with the requested increases, Manitobans will still pay amongst the lowest general electricity rates in North America.
“Manitoba Hydro’s distribution system is aging and needs to be renewed, and in many cases, expanded. Without needed investment, the system will become increasingly unreliable, outages more frequent and customers will not receive the service they have come to expect from us,” stated Thomson.
If approved, the monthly electricity bill for a residential customer without electric space heat, using an average of 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month, would increase by $3.20 effective April 1, 2015, with a similar increase requested for April 1, 2016.
The monthly bill for a residential customer with electric space heat, using an average of 2,000 kWh a month, would increase by $6.11, commencing April 1, 2015.
“By taking action now to replace and upgrade poles, transformers, cable and other equipment, we can pay for these investments through moderate, predictable rate increases,” Thomson added. “Postponing action will only lead to even higher rate increases in the future and challenges in meeting growing customer demands for service.”
