Non contract Enmax consumers can expect to be zapped in the wallet again this month when power rates increase 38%.
It’s a jolt that one consumer advocate says reflects a provincial power system that’s far from ideal.
Not long after they soared in April due to power plant shutdowns to 11.89 cents a kw/h from March’s 7.36 cents, regulated rates are again going up in July to 9.89 cents from 7.15 cents in June.
Enmax spokesman Ian Todd said the July rates also spiked because of old coal plants closing.
“With the unexpected loss of Sundance 1&2 generating units announced earlier this year by TransAlta and the delay in KeepHills 3 commissioning, July and August prices are reflecting an anticipated tighter supply situation and increased volatility,” he said.
He said all of Enmax’s facilities are running at near maximum because the old plants are shutting down.
“This is really why hundreds of thousands of Albertans have chosen Easymax from Enmax,” he said.
“It provides stability, flexibility, because the customer is not locked in, and long term value.”
