The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has announced implementation of a 4.22 percent increase in electricity tariffs, effective 1 September 2023.
Announcing the decision, the regulatory body on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, in a statement said it comes after a review for the third quarter of 2023 by the PURC.
According to the PURC, the primary objective behind the tariff adjustment is to ensure that the real value of the cost of providing utility services is upheld.
The quarterly tariff review mechanism seeks to track and incorporate changes in key factors used in determining natural gas, electricity and water tariffs.
It added that the new tariff structure maintains the existing rates for lifeline customers, as well as for industrial customers and non-residential entities.
They included like hairdressing salons, barbering shops, chop bars, tailoring and dress-making shops, cold stores, and other small- to medium-scale businesses.
With these, such customers will not experience any changes or increments in their electricity tariffs.
“The commission, however, approved a 4.22% increase across board in the average end-user electricity tariff for non-lifeline residential customers,” portion of a statement issued by PURC on Tuesday said.
With water tariffs, the lifeline customers will also benefit from a freeze on tariff adjustments, with no increase or alteration (0%) in their rates.
But for all other categories of water consumers, the PURC has approved a 1.18 percent increase in tariffs.
“For the average end-user for water, life-line customers will experience no increase or change in tariff. The commission, however, approved a 1.18% increase in tariff for all other water customer group.”
Part of the statement expressed that “the PURC is continually grateful to all stakeholders for their support as it continues to implement quarterly tariff reviews in accordance with its Rate Setting Guidelines for Quarterly Review of Natural Gas, Electricity, and Water Tariffs.
“The Commission wishes to assure its stakeholders that it will continue to monitor the operations of the service providers to ensure quality delivery of service while balancing the interests of Consumers and Utility Service Providers,” the PURC added.
