A significant increase in the price of diesel fuel over the past two years – it’s about 40-per-cent pricier – has forced the Northwest Territories Power Corporation (NTPC) to seek rate increases from the public regulator.
NTPC’s application would see a 15-per-cent hike in the Thermal Zone (communities that depend almost entirely on diesel or gas) while rate categories in other areas will see an approximate 5.3-to 10.7-per-cent increase in rates.
The latter hike factors in a previous increase as low waters levels required the Jackfish Power plant at Yellowknife to burn far more diesel.
Cory Strang is president and CEO of NTPC:
“Unfortunately, global increases in the price of diesel are a matter beyond our control and must be recovered from customers. We will continue to work with our Board and the GNWT to explore options for paying for unavoidable expenses while minimizing the impact on the cost of living.”
If approved by the NWT Public Utilities Board, new rates would come into effect on June 1.
