EDMONTON — Many Albertans are in for a shock when they get their electricity bills for October.
The Alberta Utilities Commission has approved a rate increase of about 50 per cent for homeowners who are on regulated power plans.
The spike follows a big drop in power rates from August to September.
Companies increasing their rates include Epcor, FortisAlberta, Enmax and Direct Energy.
Some companies say the prices are set in a competitive market that is influenced by supply and demand, weather and other factors.
Electricity rates in Alberta have been swinging up and down this year — the price in May was about half of the price set for October.