The 2.5 per cent Manitoba Hydro rate increase went into effect on June 1st.
Bruce Owen, media relations officer for Manitoba Hydro, says the money from the rate increase won’t be going into Manitoba Hydro’s operating costs budget.
The money from the rate increase will go into a deferral account to help offset increased costs once the Keeyask Generating Station comes into service.
Owen says they can’t just use extra electricity exports to keep rates down, they have to address the debt of the Keeyask Generating Station with additional electricity export sales and rate increases.
Owen wouldn’t comment on whether rates would decrease once the debt has been paid for.
