Electricity Rate Breakdown
Electricity rates in Saskatchewan are comprised of two separate charges: a basic monthly charge, and an energy charge.
The basic monthly charge is a flat service fee that is charged regardless of usage. This charge covers the cost of maintaining and repairing the energy grid, and keeping your home or business connected to the grid.
The amount of the basic monthly charge is calculated based upon where a resident’s business or home is located. As of March 1, 2018, the basic monthly charge for SaskPower customers is:
- City (E01): $22.79
- Town, Village and Urban Resort (E02): $22.79
- Rural and Rural Resort (E03): $32.90
For Saskatoon Light & Power customers, this monthly charge (described as a “service charge”) is currently:
- Residential: $25.07
- Commercial (Under 75 kVA): $34.25
Please refer to the City of Saskatoon’s site for pricing for higher electrical loads.
For Swift Current Light & Power customers, the monthly service charge is currently:
- Residential: $25.07
- Small Commercial (Under 25 kVA): $34.25
Please refer to the City of Swift Current’s website for pricing for higher electrical loads.
The energy charge is determined directly by the number of kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity a customer consumes during the monthly period. The price of electricity is determined by a system in which SaskPower proposes rate changes, which are reviewed by the Saskatchewan Rate Review Panel, which in turn provides a report with recommendations to the Government of Saskatchewan, which ultimately determines the price. This price is designed to account for the cost of generating electricity, transmitting it throughout the province, and delivering it to end users.
As of March 1, 2018, SaskPower’s energy charge is:
- City (E01): $0.14228 per kWh
- Town, Village and Urban Resort (E02): $0.14228 per kWh
- Rural and Rural Resort (E03): $14229 per kWh
For Saskatoon Light & Power customers, the energy charge is:
- Residential: $0.1565 per kWh
- Commercial (Under 75 kVA, first 14,500 kWh): $0.1504 per kWh
- Commercial (Under 75 kVA, after 14,500 kWh): $0.0794 per kwh
For Swift Current Light & Power customers, the energy charge is:
- Residential: $0.15651 per kWh
- Small Commercial (Under 25 kVA, first 14,500): $0.15036 per kwh
- Small Commercial (Under 25 kVA, after 15,400 kWh): $0.07940 per kwh
Natural Gas Rate Breakdown
Natural gas rates in Saskatchewan are broken up into three separate charges. These charges consist of a basic monthly charge, a delivery charge, and a commodity rate. The basic monthly charge and delivery charge are regulated by the Government of Saskatchewan and provincially owned SaskEnergy, which is responsible for delivering natural gas to more than 90% of the province’s residents.
The basic monthly charge is a flat fee charged regardless of how much gas a customer uses. As of November 1, 2017, the basic monthly charge is:
- Residential: $23.20
- Commercial Small (Up to 100,000 m3): $38.50
- Commercial Large (Up to 660,000 m3): $137.40
The delivery charge represents the cost of delivering natural gas, and thus is charged per unit of gas used. Currently, the delivery charge is:
- Residential: $0.0924/m3 or $2.4812/GJ
- Commercial Small (Up to 100,000 m3): $0.0770/m3 or $2.0677/GJ
- Commercial Large (Up to 660,000 m3): $0.0673/ m3 or $1.8072/GJ
When purchasing natural gas, the only charge which is not entirely regulated is the commodity rate, which represents the actual cost of the natural gas used, and is charged per unit of natural gas used. The commodity rate charged by SaskEnergy is regulated by the Government of Saskatchewan. However, customers can choose to sign an agreement with a retailer for a fixed or variable price other than that dictated by SaskEnergy.
As of November 1, 2017, the commodity rate charged by SaskEnergy is:
- Residential: $0.1387/m3 or $3.65/GJ
- Commercial Small (Up to 100,000 m3): $0.1387/m3 or $3.65/GJ
- Commercial Large (Up to 660,000 m3): $0.1387/ m3 or $3.65/GJ
However, as noted above, consumers have the right to purchase natural gas from a gas retailer. To learn what rates and plans are currently offered by retailers operating in Saskatchewan, use our comparison form above.
