SaskEnergy wants to increase the amount it charges for delivering natural gas to homes and businesses.

The Crown utility has applied to the Saskatchewan Rate Review Panel for a delivery rate increase which would see a typical residential customer's bill go up by $1.65 per month, or about 2.3 per cent.

The increase, if approved, would take effect Nov. 1.

SaskEnergy says the higher delivery charge would help finance more spending on capital projects and customer growth initiatives totalling more than $50 million this fiscal year.

President Ken From says SaskEnergy has major expansion plans and wants to move pipeline infrastructure away from development occurring in both Saskatoon and Regina.

The commodity rate, the amount customers pay for the natural gas itself, would remain unchanged at $3.65 per gigajoule.