Electricity Rate Breakdown
Electricity rates in Manitoba are comprised of two charges, a basic monthly charge and an energy charge.
The basic monthly charge is flat fee that is charged by Manitoba Hydro, regardless of how much electricity you use. This charge helps to cover the cost of maintaining, repairing, and upgrading the Manitoba energy grid. The basic monthly charge represents the absolute minimum billing amount for electricity.
As of April 2018, the basic monthly charge for electricity is as follows:
- Residential (not exceeding 200 amps): $8.08
- Residential (exceeding 200 amps): $16.16
- General Service Small, Single Phase: $21.91
- General Service Medium: $32.61
The energy charge is covers the actual cost of the electricity you use, as measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). This is calculated by multiplying your usage during the billing period by the current cost per kWh of electricity.
As of April 2018, the basic monthly charge for electricity is as follows:
- Residential: 8.196¢/kWh
- General Service Small/Medium (First 11,000 kWh): 8.609¢/kWh
- General Service Small/Medium (next 8,500 kWh): 5.976¢/kWh
- General Service Small/Medium (Remaining Usage): 3.944¢/kWh
Natural Gas Rate Breakdown
Natural gas rates in Manitoba are a bit more complex than electricity rates, as they are comprised of five separate charges. These charges consist of a basic monthly charge, primary gas charge, supplemental gas charge, a transportation charge, and a distribution charge.
As with electricity, the basic monthly charge is billed regardless of your natural gas usage, and is the minimum amount you can be billed.
As of April 2018, the basic monthly charge for natural gas is:
- Residential: $14.00
- Small General Service: $14.00
- Large General Service: $77.00
The primary gas charge and supplemental gas charge represent what you owe for the natural gas you actually use. The primary charge is the one fee which is not entirely regulated, as you can choose to sign an agreement with a natural gas retailer, rather than purchasing this gas at the regulated rate from Manitoba Hydro. However, to protect against supply shortfalls, Manitoba Hydro purchases additional natural gas reserves. When your usage taps into these reserves, you are charged a supplemental gas charge at a rate which offsets what Manitoba Hydro paid for the gas.
As of April 2018, the primary gas charge is:
- Residential: 7.62¢/m3
- Small General Service: 7.62¢/m3
- Large General Service: 7.62¢/m3
As of April 2018, the supplemental gas charge is:
- Residential: 15.59¢/m3
- Small General Service: 15.59¢/m3
- Large General Service: 15.59¢/m3
Lastly, the transportation and distribution charges cover the cost of storing, transporting, and ultimately delivering natural gas to your home or business. These charges are calculated based upon the amount of natural gas you consume, but do not cover the actual cost of the gas.
As of April 2018, the transportation charge is:
- Residential: 5.38¢/m3
- Small General Service: 5.38¢/m3
- Large General Service: 5.16¢/m3
As of April 2018, the distribution charge is:
- Residential: 8.66¢/m3
- Small General Service: 8.66¢/m3
- Large General Service: 3.57¢/m3
