Nova Scotia's private utility says the Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project would add about $1.50 per month to the average household's power bill over the first five years.

Emera Inc., the parent company of Nova Scotia Power, says power rates would then remain stable or decline over the next 30 years.

The company says the calculation considers the costs of the Maritime Link subsea cable portion of the project and projected savings because of a reduced reliance on coal-fired electrical generation.

Emera is expected to file an application for the project's approval before the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board on Monday.

It says the application is not a request to recover project costs through power rates.

Emera says that will happen through a separate application process once the Maritime Link nears completion in 2017.

With files from CTV Atlantic.