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Hydro loses $24M in first quarter

By: Staff Writer

Posted: 09/5/2012 2:12 PM | Comments: 0

John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press / February - 070209 - Manitoba Hydro logo on 444 St Mary Friday February 9/07. Story is about how the new Manitoba Hydro building will affect Winnipeg commercial real estate. (WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store

Manitoba Hydro lost $24 million in the first three months of its operating year, the Crown corporation announced this afternoon.

Hydro blamed the loss on lower revenues from "spot market" power sales outside the province and higher operating costs.

Last year, Hydro earned a $6-million profit in its first quarter (April 1 to June 30), usually one of its poorer operating periods.

The corporation lost $14 million on electricity sales and $10 million on sales of natural gas. In a news release, the company said that the natural gas losses were due to seasonal variations in demand and should be recouped over the winter heating season.

Last week, the Manitoba Public Utilities Board expressed concern about the corporation’s finances in granting it a 2.5 per cent interim increase in electricity rates, effective Sept. 1.

Hydro projects that the increased rate will improve its bottom line "modestly" and net income for the year should reach about $30 million.

Meanwhile, Hydro also announced today that it posted a profit of $61 million for the 2011-2012 fiscal year. That compares with a $150-million profit the previous year. The utility attributes the decrease to lower electricity prices in short term export markets and reduced natural gas sales as a result of an unusually mild winter in 2011-12.

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