FEA rates increase

Consumers who normally have monthly electricity bills amounting to more than $50, get ready to pay more from next month.

Cabinet has approved the request by the Fiji Electricity Authority to implement a tariff increase averaging 3.2cents per unit with effect from the 1st of September.

This is a 15 percent increase.

The increase will be for all consumer categories, except lifeline domestic customers who are those that have a monthly electricity bill of about $50, and institutions namely religious organizations, schools, street lights and other non-profit organizations.  

Assuming that there will be no changes to consumption levels, there will be a $9 increase for a power bill of $60 a month, a $12 increase for a bill of $80 a month and a $15 increase for a bill of $100.

Transport and public utilities minister Captain Timoci Natuva said the tariff increase is necessary due to adverse financial impacts as a result of the devaluation of the Fiji dollar, and the removal of the fuel surcharge rate from the 11th of March this year as instructed by the Commerce Commission.

Captain Natuva said due to the increase in tariff rate by 15 percent, the FEA is expected to gain additional revenue of about $2million a month.