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Calgarians will soon be hit by a one-two punch of electricity and natural gas price increases, say utility companies and analysts.

While the average home will be paying $136 more for natural gas a year due to the carbon tax this year, the price of electricity is expected to double by 2020.

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The market outlook for electricity prices, which are currently in an historic trough of around $25 per megawatt hour, will likely see them rise to near $50/MWh in three years, say analysts and utility operators.

Already starting Jan. 1, households are paying an extra $2.61 a month on distribution charges to help stabilize an electricity industry grappling with slumping prices — essentially an increased fee to enjoy low power costs.

Those higher electricity prices on the way are due to an expected growth in demand as the economy strengthens, modest increases in natural gas prices and financial contracts, said University of Calgary economics professor Trevor Tombe.