In a few weeks Kelowna residents will have to pay more for their electricity.
FortisBC announced today that the British Columbia Utilities Commission has approved the company's request to bump up electricity rates.
With that approval, Fortis will be raising electricity rates by 2.76 per cent, starting January 1, 2017.
In a statement announcing the rate hike Fortis spokesperson Amy Bunton said the increase is intended to help the company continue to invest in infrastructure expansion and upgrades while keeping prices reasonable.
“We work to ensure our customers have a stable source of power when they need it most through upgrades and improvements to the system and long-term electricity purchase agreements to meet customer growth and demand,” she said.
Bunton said the 2.76 per cent increase will mean about $3.65 more a month on the average residential customer's bill.
Right now, the BCUC has approved the rate in the interim. The final rate may still change, based on more review in the new year.
“We recognize the unique energy needs of British Columbians and know that decisions made today will have an impact for decades to come. We work to make investments in the system and purchase the necessary capacity so our customers have power when they need it most now and into the future,” Diane Roy, Fortis’ vice president of regulatory affairs, said in a statement.
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