The average Bluewater Power customer will see an average decrease of nearly 10% per month on their electricity bills, effective May 1.
Bluewater Power CEO Janice McMichael-Dennis says that amounts to about $14 for residential and small commercial customers.
She says reductions to summer time-of-use pricing, announced by the Ontario Energy Board, will lower rates by about 8.5%.
"Bluewater Power also kicks in its new rates, which is our local rates for the part of the bill that we control," says McMichael-Dennis. "That is a decrease of 1%. So, on May 1, your hydro bill for residential and small commercial customers will go down an average of about 9.5% per month. That equates to about $13 or $14 per month."
Customers will be paying 7.7 cents per kilowatt hour during off-peak hours from 7pm until 7am, a drop of one cent.
During on-peak time, from 11am until 5pm, the rate is 15.7 cents per kilowatt hour. That's down from 18 cents previously.
And, during mid-peak hours, from 7am until 11am, and 5pm until 7pm, customers will pay 11.3 cents per kilowatt hour, down about two cents.
Summer time of use pricing is lower than this time last year.
In the meantime, the Ontario Energy Board's ban on winter disconnections has been lifted.
Customers behind on payments will be given 10 days notice before their power can be shut off. They'll be reconnected within two days of payment.
Those enrolled in the Ontario Energy Support Program will see their benefits increased by 50% and more people are now eligible for assistance.
-With Files From Dave Dentinger