The Government of Saskatchewan has scrapped plans to raise SaskEnergy delivery rates.
In a statement issued Thursday, the provincial government said it has directed the Saskatchewan Rate Review Panel to cancel SaskEnergy’s application to increase delivery rates by five per cent on July 1 of 2023 and 2024.
According to Don Morgan, minister responsible for SaskEnergy, the decision should help keep rates more manageable for customers.
“We are committed to growth that works for everyone in our province, and this decision will help keep energy rates affordable for Saskatchewan residents,” Morgan said in a statement.
According to a government spokesperson, the change in plans will save the average residential customer about $2.43 each month in 2023 and an additional $2.43 each month in 2024.
“After today’s announcement, there will be no increase to customer bills in the coming months,” the spokesperson said in an email.
The province said Saskatchewan is home to some of the lowest utility rates in Canada, “largely due to having the lowest auto insurance rates and natural gas commodity costs.” In both 2022-23 and 2023-24, rates in Saskatchewan are expected to be the second-lowest among all provinces, the government noted.