Hydro-Quebec rate hike approved

subscribe

Consumers rights groups are expressing concern over the latest increase in the cost of electricity in Quebec.

Electricity rates will go up by 0.4 per cent effective April 1 after the province's energy board approved Hydro-Québec's latest request for an increase.

The hike will mean an additional cost of 43 cents per month for the average residential customer.

Hydro-Québec requested the increase to compensate for a drop in commercial sales and a change in accounting methods, spokesperson Josée Morin said.

The higher rate was approved even though residential customers should have been entitled to a 2.2 per cent cut in energy rates, said Charles Tanguay of the consumer advocacy group Union des consommateurs.

The energy board seems to accept Hydro-Québec's requests without question, Tanguay said.

"Hydro-Québec makes enormous profits - $3 billion a year," he said. "Increases like this amount to taxing electricity.

"Provinces like Ontario pay much more for their electricity because it costs them more to produce it."

Tanguay predicts that the real debate over energy costs will happen after the upcoming provincial budget.

He expects the government will announce an increase in the rates for the so-called heritage block of energy, which is not subject to the board's approval.

"An increase of one cent per kWh would represent a 15 per cent increase of our rates," said Tanguay. "We're not just talking crumbs here - that is a lot of money."

The board has also authorized the utility to spend $294 million on an energy efficiency plan, including $81 million aimed at its residential clientele.

Related News

wind turbines

Portsmouth residents voice concerns over noise, flicker generated by turbine

PORTSMOUTH - The combination of the noise and shadows generated by the town’s wind turbine has rankled some neighbors who voiced their frustration to the Town Council during its meeting Monday.

Mark DePasquale, the founder and chairman of the company that owns the turbine, tried to reassure them with promises to address the bothersome conditions.

David Souza, a lifelong town resident who lives on Lowell Drive, showed videos of the repeated, flashing shadows cast on his home by the three blades spinning.

“I am a firefighter. I need to get my sleep,” he said. “And now it’s starting to affect my job. I’m…

READ MORE

Greening Ontario's electricity grid would cost $400 billion: report

READ MORE

central asian power shortage

Why Is Central Asia Suffering From Severe Electricity Shortages?

READ MORE

duke energy investment

Duke Energy will spend US$25bn to modernise its US grid

READ MORE

map of power grid

Military Is Ramping Up Preparation For Major U.S. Power Grid Hack

READ MORE