The Los Angeles Water and Power Commissioners announced Tuesday they unanimously approved power rate increases. The proposed hikes will now be sent to the City Council for consideration.

Under the proposal, the average monthly increase in the power rate for residential customers would increase approximately $1.17, or 1.56 percent each year for five years. That would result in a $5.85 average monthly increase for those using a typical amount of energy (500 kilowatt-hours a month) at the end of five years.

Depending on the amount of power a customer uses, a monthly bill for electric service could increase from $4.20 to $26.30 at the end of five years.

The rate increase is intended to help subsidize the upgrading of the city’s power infrastructure. The hike would give the DWP $144 million after the first year.