SaskPower bills could rise as much as 6.4 per cent in February, rate panel warns

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The panel said it needs to see more current financial information from SaskPower before making its final recommendation on the next increase, and said the company is required to provide updated financial statements and additional materials to the panel by Nov. 2.

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Those materials include information on the anticipated revenue coming from Bell Canada’s data centre project, which is currently under construction in the RM of Sherwood, just outside of Regina.

“The timing of revenue from the Bell data-centre project is particularly important because SaskPower’s improved 2026-27 financial forecast is driven in part by anticipated additional electricity sales to the project,” the panel noted.

“The Panel’s consultant concluded that the timing of those revenues remains uncertain.”

Albert Johnston, who chairs the panel, said the group recognizes the affordability challenges that Saskatchewan households and businesses are currently facing, but noted that SaskPower must have the revenue and financial capacity necessary to properly maintain the provincial power grid.

“We believe the 2026 increase should be confirmed, but the decision on the 2027 rate should be based on the most current financial information available,” Johnston noted in a statement.

The panel received “substantial public input” during its review, the organization noted, and affordability was a top concern “along with SaskPower’s future generation choices, the cost and risks associated with major investments, the fairness of rates among customer classes, and the availability of information concerning SaskPower’s planning and decision-making.”

“The Panel confirmed that SaskPower is facing significant financial pressures resulting from aging infrastructure, rising operating costs, and growing electricity demand,” Jeremy Harrison, Saskatchewan’s minister of Crown Investments Corporation, said in a statement.

“It also emphasized the importance of affordability for Saskatchewan households, farms, and businesses. We will carefully review the report and ensure any future decisions strike the appropriate balance between maintaining a reliable electricity system and protecting ratepayers from unnecessary cost increases.”