Manitoba Hydro seeks rate hike of nearly 11 per cent over three years

By: Free Press staff Posted: 2:02 PM CDT Saturday, Mar. 29, 2025

Manitoba Hydro wants to raise electricity rates by close to 11 per cent over the next three years amid concerns over aging infrastructure and the effects of drought and debts on its bottom line.

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Manitoba Hydro wants to raise electricity rates by close to 11 per cent over the next three years amid concerns over aging infrastructure and the effects of drought and debts on its bottom line.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 29/03/2025 (191 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba Hydro wants to raise electricity rates by close to 11 per cent over the next three years amid concerns over aging infrastructure and the effects of drought and debts on its bottom line.

The Crown corporation submitted its three-year general rate application to the Public Utilities Board on Friday, seeking a 3.5 per cent increase in electricity rates in each 2026, 2027 and 2028.

The first increase would apply on Jan. 1 next year, if approved, and subsequent increases would apply on Jan. 1 each of the next two years.

Hydro lines near the Manitoba Hydro Brandon Generating Station (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun files)

The NDP government has promised a one-year rate freeze for 2025. It hasn’t increased rates since a one-per-cent hike in April 2024.

Hydro says the proposed increases would result in average increases to residential customers using 1,000 kWh per month of $3.69, $3.81 and $3.94 and $7.05, $7.28 and $7.53 for customers using 2,000 kWh per month.

Hydro’s president and chief executive officer, Allan Danroth, said in a statement Saturday the corporation realizes “this is a challenging time for Manitobans already paying higher prices for many goods and services.”

But, Danroth said, Hydro is also facing increased costs and the rate increases are meant to allow the Crown corporation to provide “safe” and “reliable” energy into the future.

Hydro reported a net financial loss in two of the last three years because of drought, which limited the amount of energy it could export.

The Crown corporation is also facing “significant costs” to maintain and upgrade its infrastructure, including the Bipole I and Bipole II converter stations, which were designed for 35 years of service but are currently at 55 years.

Hydro also said the proposed increases will help the corporation develop new energy sources.

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca