Homes throughout the province may see an increase in their power bills early next year.

SaskPower is warning residential customers they could see their power bills go up to $9 starting January 2017 pending on approval from the government. An average monthly residential power bill would rise by $5.05 in July 2017 plus $3.71 in January if the proposed rate increase is approved.

The recommendations were presented by the Saskatchewan Rate Review Panel in a news release yesterday after the request had been made by SaskPower. This would be a second rate increase if accepted following the interim 5 per cent increase effective July of this year.

The average urban standard customer would see their monthly bill increase $155.91 and $114.80 respectively, and a typical large industrial customer would see a monthly bill increase of $19,992.11 and $14,703.50 respectively.

SaskPower has stated the increases are necessary to update and refurbish their existing infrastructure and build new generation and distribution capacity to meet future needs. Forecasts from the Crown Corporation show the next ten years demonstrate annual capital expenditures of approximately $1.0 billion per year.

According to SaskPower, the requests are made to help reach the company's goal for increasing provincial clean energy up to 50 per cent by 2030. As of right now, the province uses 25 per cent of its electricity from clean sources.