Waynesville has a sweetheart of a deal right now with the newly merged Duke/Progress power wholesaler but changes are in the wind, the town's governing board was told Tuesday night.

The town contracts with Nova Energy Consultants, Inc. on issues concerning the municipality's electric system, and met Tuesday with Nova representative Kevin O'Donnell.

Waynesville's agreement to purchase power from the giant power wholesaler expires in 2015. O'Donnell told the mayor and board of aldermen to expect wholesale increases of between 20 and 25 percent when the contract is renegotiated. That could translate to a 17 percent hike passed on to Waynesville electricity consumers or otherwise absorbed by the town.

Waynesville's governing board has not increased electric rates in several years. It ...