Electricity rates to increase September 1

On August 25, the Public Utilities Board (PUB) approved an average electricity rate increase of one per cent effective September 1 and a further one per cent increase effective April 1, 2024.

The PUB order also confirmed the 3.6 per cent interim rate increase that was awarded in 2021.

The rate increases approved in the order vary by customer class (see table), with residential customers receiving a 1.4 per cent increase in each of the next two fiscal years.

The bill impact of the 1.4 per cent rate increase effective September 1 will be less than $1.50 a month for the average residential customer without electric heating (based on an average of 1,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) per month) and under $3 a month for those with electric heating (based on an average consumption of 2,000 kWh monthly).

The second 1.4 per cent increase, effective April 1, 2024 will also result in an increase of less than $1.50 and $3 a month for average residential customer without and with electric heating, respectively.

Manitoba Hydro originally submitted a request for a 3.5 per cent rate increase in each of the next two years. However, this request was reduced to two per cent in each of the next two years after the Province of Manitoba announced it would reduce by half what it collects from Manitoba Hydro annually in provincial debt guarantee and water rental payments.

You can view the order on the PUB website at this link: https://www.pubmanitoba.ca/v1/proceedings-decisions/orders/pubs/23-orders/101-23.pdf