(File Photo/980 CJME)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Larger Bills

Second SaskPower rate increase in several months now in effect

Apr 1, 2023 | 10:00 AM

Your next SaskPower bill might be a bit higher than those you’ve gotten over the past few months.

The company is increasing its rate by four per cent, or roughly $5 per month, starting on Apr. 1^st.

“It’s not a decision we take lightly, we understand that our customers have a need for reliable power,” said Joel Cherry, a SaskPower spokesperson.

This is the second increase in seven months as SaskPower’s rate previously rose last September. Cherry explained these are the first two increases the company has brought in over the past five years.

As for why, the company is transforming its system.

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Cherry said they’re experiencing a ‘once in a lifetime challenge’ as they’ve been told to de-carbonize the system to shift towards a more renewable network.

“This comes with costs and we need some additional revenue to be able to do that.”

He couldn’t say whether this will be the last rate increase for the foreseeable future.

“There still may be a requirement for moderate increases, but that’s something we’ll analyze and share with our customers on an ongoing basis.”

One thing that won’t impact SaskPower’s rate moving forward is the latest increase to the federal government’s carbon tax.

It comes into effect on Apr 1^st with most expected to feel the impact at the pumps. Dan McTeague, the president of Canadians for Affordable Energy, said the carbon tax will increase to 14 cents per litre of gasoline from its current level of 11 cents per litre.

Cherry explained SaskPower incorporated the increase at the start of 2023. This resulted in a three per cent rate hike.

-With files from 980 CJME

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow