North

Nunavut energy corp. applies to increase power rates by 9.5 per cent

The corporation responsible for energy in Nunavut is asking the territorial government to increase its power rates and monthly service charges. 

Qulliq Energy Corporation says adjustments are being proposed to recover costs

A Qulliq Energy power metre on the side of a house in Iqaluit
The Qulliq Energy Corporation wants to increase the territory's energy rate, and double monthly service charges. The changes won't affect non-government residential customers' bills under the territory's subsidy program. (Nick Murray/CBC)

The corporation responsible for energy in Nunavut is asking the territorial government to increase power rates and monthly service charges. 

The Qulliq Energy Corporation (QEC) submitted its general rate application which, if approved, would go into effect on April 1, 2025. 

The changes include an increase in monthly service charges for residential customers, from $18 to $36. It also includes a monthly demand service charge increase from $8 to $16 per kilowatt hour for commercial customers. 

The application seeks to increase the energy rates in the territory by 9.5 per cent. 

According to QEC, non-government, domestic customers receiving the territorial electricity subsidy would see a bill increase of about $14 per month for a typical customer. 

Non-government domestic customers not receiving the territorial electricity subsidy would see their bill increase by about $53 a month. 

Non-government commercial customers would see their bills go up by $156 a month on a monthly consumption of 2,000 kilowatt hours. 

Government commercial customers would see a bill increase of about $235 a month on a monthly consumption of 2,000 kilowatt hours. 

In a news release Wednesday, QEC said the proposal aims to "improve cost recovery." It also said the changes will not affect non-governmental residential customers' bills under the Nunavut Electricity Subsidy Program. 

In its application, QEC says it's experienced cost increases, including $19.3 million in non-fuel expenses, $2.1 million in capital investments and $5.9 million in increased diesel fuel costs. 

Nunavummiut can also submit their feedback on the rate application to URRC@gov.nu.ca by 5 p.m. on Jan. 24, 2025. 

The minister responsible for QEC, John Main, will now review the application with input from the territory's Utility Rates Review Council.