Hydro customers in Ottawa could be facing another increase in rates.
Hydro Ottawa is planning a rate hike over the next five years. In 2016, residential customers would see a $3.60 bump a month in rates. Each year after that, the price of hydro would go up by $1.55 a month. That means by 2020, customers will be paying an additional $9.80 a month, or close to $120 a year.
"I'd rather deal with a couple power outages than pay that much," says one homeowner in Ottawa's west end.
"It's not a very good idea, we already pay enough as it is," says another.
Hydro Ottawa has launched a survey to get public feedback on their five year plan. The company outlines many issues, including aging infrastructure and the need for increased technology in the system.
Kanata North councillor Mary Wilkinson points out a significant project where they need to consider the need for electricity.
"We're going to have this new, huge light rail system that's electric," she says. "How are we going to have the power system there to handle the electricity? Some of it is putting lines in that's going to increase the availability of power."
Hydro Ottawa hasn't applied to the Ontario Energy Board for the increase yet. The company says the potential rate changes indicated in the survey are estimates based on their proposed investment plan.
That plan includes spending over $180 million on replacing infrastructure over the next five years. Close to $150 million would be invested into integrating technology into the system. Another $145 million would go into buildings and equipment, while serving the needs of a growing city would cost over $61 million.
"People will complain about higher costs," says Wilkenson. "But they would complain even more if they're on electric heat in the middle of a cold snap and had no power. That can happen if you don't maintain your infrastructure."
