FortisBC has announced that its electricity rates will remain unchanged this year.

The firm announced on Friday that the BC Utilities Commission had approved its request to keep prices the same as 2018.

It means FortisBC’s rates have remained unchanged for three years.

“Recent customer growth, in addition to finding savings in our operations over the past few years, are two of the factors keeping rates steady for our electric customers this year,” said Diane Roy, vice-president of regulatory affairs at FortisBC.

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“With this decision, our electric rates continue to be below average when compared to other cities across Canada including Calgary, Toronto and Halifax, and that’s made the region attractive to emerging industries.”

The firm said its application to the BCUC stated that existing rates were high enough to meet 2019’s revenue requirements.

“Revenue requirements include everything we do to provide service and keep the system maintained, from our hydro facilities that generate clean power in the Kootenays to the many assets that bring power to homes, businesses and communities in B.C.’s southern interior,” said Roy.

“We’re continuing to invest in projects and initiatives where it makes sense for our customers, and with careful consideration of the cost impacts.”