News
GNWT releases response to electricity and NTPC reviews

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) says residents in many NWT communities will see a significant reduction in what they pay for power as a result of the GNWT’s response to the recommendations of the Electricity Review and Northwest Territories Power Corporation (NTPC) Review.

The response—“Efficient, Affordable and Equitable: Creating a Brighter Future for the Northwest Territories Electricity System”—includes 19 action items designed to make the electricity system more efficient and power more affordable throughout the territory, says the government.

“This is a significant achievement for the GNWT,” said the Chair of the Ministerial Energy Coordinating Committee, Bob McLeod. “Electricity is an essential service and access to that service must be equitable and affordable to all NWT residents. The changes we are making to our electricity system will reduce the cost of living in our territory, which is one of the five strategic initiatives of the 16th Legislative Assembly.”

“Residents of the NWT have been saying for some time that changes needed to be made to our electricity system,” said Premier Floyd Roland, the minister responsible for the NTPC. “Our actions will lower the cost of electricity for most communities at no additional cost to any other community. This will play a substantial role in allowing all of our communities to be vibrant, sustainable and competitive, while also encouraging local economic development.”

According to the GNWT, a key action of the response is that electricity rate zones in the NWT have been reduced to seven from 33. A full version of the GNWT’s response to the electricity system and NTPC reviews can be found at www.nwtenergy.ca.

May 17, 2010  By Northwest Territories