Alberta consumers face ‘unprecedented’ utility costs

The price of electric power in Alberta has taken another big jump.

Sophie Simmonds, the director of Anova Energy, says the regulated rate for consumers has increased by more than 150 per cent in the past 18 months.

The Alberta Utilities Commission has approved the regulated rate option prices for the month of August and they remain at historic highs.

Both Enmax and Epcor have had rates higher than 17 cents per kilowatt-hour and Direct Energy's regulated rate sits at just under 17 cents.

Energy analysts say the rising prices are because of high demand, tight supply and the high cost of natural gas.

Both Enmax and Epcor have had rates higher than 17 cents/kWh approved — 17.341 cents/kWh and 17.129 cents/kWh respectively. Direct Energy’s regulated rate sits at 16.879 cents/kWh.