Customers will see a hike in their electricity bills soon, as Hydro-Quebec increases their rates by 2.9 per cent starting April 1.
That increase translates to an average of $44 more a year, or about an extra $3.50 a month.
The provincial Energy Board approved the increase on Monday and said it was justified when considering Hydro-Quebec’s investments in wind energy.
The board also approved a 4.3 per cent hike in April 2014. Then Hydro-Quebec made another request for higher rates just five months later, despite their record profit of $3.8 billion for 2014.
Consumer rights group Option Consommateurs said they are disappointed with the hike, but the group is glad that the Energy Board recognizes the importance of working with consumer associations.
Hausse des tarifs d'électricité : la Régie de l’énergie reconnait l’importance des associations de consommateurs http://t.co/QcPVQyZQwI
— Option consommateurs (@OptionConso) March 9, 2015
However, the group said it is still concerned about how consumers will be affected by the increase on their bill, said Olive Bourgeois, head coordinator for energy issues at Option Consommateurs.
“With this new hike, Quebecers will have a tough time making ends meet,” said Bourgeois. “But, at the request of the Energy Board, Hydro-Quebec will have to cooperate with consumer groups to help people who can’t pay their bills.”
In Monday’s decision, the Energy Board asked Hydro-Quebec to be more flexible when negotiating payments with those who can’t pay their bills and to establish a support center for low-income households.
The board also wants Hydro-Quebec to review its administration fees, right now fixed at 14.4 per cent.
