Electricity bills are going up for residents and businesses in Bay Roberts and across Newfoundland after a rate hike took effect July 1, 2026. The increase, approved by the Public Utilities Board in early June, adds an overall average of 2.3 per cent to bills for Newfoundland Power customers on the island. For Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro‘s direct residential customers, the increase ranges from 1.3 to 2.25 per cent, while commercial customers see increases between 2.3 and 2.8 per cent.
This is the fourth year in a row that electricity rates have gone up on July 1 in the province. It is part of a plan to cover costs from the Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project while keeping rate increases manageable for families and businesses. Without that plan and other government action, the increase this year would have been much steeper at seven per cent, according to Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro.
Earlier this spring, Premier Tony Wakeham directed Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro to use a $45-million credit to reduce the impact on ratepayers. The money came from a fund that manages differences between urban and rural electricity prices and had grown larger than expected because of delays in a rate filing. By applying that credit, the typical residential increase was limited to 2.25 per cent instead of seven per cent.
The long-term goal is to hold yearly residential increases on the island to no more than 2.25 per cent through 2030. Without that strategy, officials have said residential rates would have roughly doubled to 23.6 cents per kilowatt hour, compared with the current 14.3 cents. The effort is expected to cost Hydro over $2 billion from 2024 to 2030.
Rates for Labrador Interconnected customers will not change this year. For everyone else, the higher charges are now in effect and will show up on upcoming bills.
