Manitobans will pay 20.5% more on natural gas bills starting May 1

Manitobans who get natural gas from Centra Gas will see a 20.5 per cent hike on their bills starting May 1 after the Public Utilities Board approved a rate increasedue to rising natural gas prices.

The Manitoba Hydro subsidiary's primary gas rate will increase to 20.55 cents per cubic metre from 13.43 cents per cubic metre, an increase of more than 50 per cent.

Thatwill mean an increase of around$150 per year for the typical residential customer, the Public Utilities Board said in a news release.That's an increase of 20.5per cent on a typical bill, the board said.(Gas bills include other charges in addition to the primary gas rate.)

In February, the PUB announced a rate cut that would save customers anaverage of $121 per year. The cut came after a significant price hike inOctober 2021, to19.16 cents per cubic metre.

Customers who have fixed-term contracts with fixed pricing, with Centra Gas or a private broker, will not be affected.

Centra Gas cannot make a profit on the sale of primary gas, which is sold on a cost recovery basis.

The board will review primary gas rates again on Aug.1.