CALGARY – Electricity rates in Alberta are on the rise.
On Friday, the province approved a power rate increase for Enmax and Direct Energy in Southern Alberta.
The change will only affect customers who have not locked into an electricity contract. Those on a monthly regulated rate will see a price increase of four cents a kilowatt hour. That’s an extra $30 a month for the average family.
Last year, electricity prices were deregulated and are now set every month on the open market price.
The result: prices change more often based on supply and demand.
“Because the prices are actually set one month in advance we have a combination of factors. Some things like weather can play a part, but in addition, for the month of October there were some planned outages that were going to occur which are no longer necessary but never the less were built into the rate,” says Enmax spokesperson Doris Kaufmann.
“Things in November may change again.”
Typically electricity rates increase in the winter so more Calgarians are considering contracts.
Depending on how long customers are comfortable locking in for, one year contracts are available for six point five cents a kilowatt hour. These can increase to five year contracts for eight to nine point five a kilowatt hour.
Prices can be compared at UCAHelps.Alberta.ca.
You can also learn how to save energy and electricity in your home at www.climatechangecentral.com or www.greencalgary.org.
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