Saskenergy proposes 22.7% rate hike

Saskenergy is proposing to hike rates by 22.7 per cent over the next three years as the Crown corporation deals with higher natural gas prices and consumers grapple with rising costs.

The corporation announced Monday the largest increase of 16.8 per cent is slated to take place this August, followed by smaller increases of 2.9 per cent in June 2023 and three per cent in June 2024.

Should the rate increases be approved by the provincial government, Saskenergy predicts the average residential customer will pay an additional $11.95 per month come August, an additional $2.43 per month in June 2023 and an extra $2.53 per month in June 2024.

All told, the average residential bill would increase by $16.91 per month, or $202.92 per year, by June 2024.

Mark Guillet, Saskenergy's acting president and CEO, told reporters on Monday the decision is a result of higher energy prices and inflationary pressures driving costs up. He acknowledged the increase will likely sting customers already dealing with higher prices for gas, food and other essentials.

“It is a very tough piece, you know, having costs go up,” Guillet said. “No one likes to be able to have an increase in cost.”

The proposal to increase the rate comes as Saskpower has asked for an eight-per-cent hike over the next two years. It's recommended the first four-per-cent increase come into effect in September and the second four-per-cent increase in April.

The Rate Review Panel, which reviews proposed rate hikes, recommended on Sunday that the province adopt Saskpower's increases.

Don Morgan, the minister responsible for Saskenergy and Saskpower, said in a statement the province is looking at the Saskpower recommendation, adding that decisions to increase rates aren't taken lightly.

He said the government needs to balance “the need to provide a reliable supply of power and ensure the company is on solid financial footing, while also being mindful of the effect that rate increases have on customers.”

NDP MLA Aleana Young, the critic for Saskpower and Saskenergy, told reporters the proposals are hurting customers at a time when they are facing higher costs.

Businesses have also said an incoming PST expansion will take a bite out of their revenues as they predict customers will reduce spending.

“This isn't optional, this isn't cutting out your avocado toast or your lattes; this is keeping your house heated or your home cool,” Young said.

“And we see a government who just doesn't care. We've seen nothing from them on this.”

Young recommended the government use extra revenues generated through higher commodity prices to help provide relief to ratepayers.

The province reported an additional $3.66 billion in revenue in its fiscal year end, largely driven by resource prices. The deficit now hangs at $1.47 billion, about $1.14 billion less than the $2.7 billion that was previously projected.

Finance Minister Donna Harpauer has said “everything is on the table” when it comes to providing relief.

Morgan said while Saskpower has worked on efficiencies, it has paid an estimated $163 million in federal carbon taxes in 2021. He said it has avoided passing those costs on to customers, but said increases in the carbon tax will continue to put strain on the corporation and ratepayers.

Young accused the government of “pillaging” the Crowns of dividends, arguing the corporations could instead retain the dividends so they don't have to ask for rate increases.

Saskenergy paid the government a $22-million dividend after posting a total net income of $82 million this past year.

When asked if retaining the dividend would have resulted in not asking for a rate hike, Guillet said he couldn't comment.