Tmetuchl Baules, PPUC public information officer, said the increase is due to the rising price of fuel.
“Electricity rates imposed by PPUC are driven by the price of fuel in the world market,” he said. “If the price of fuel increases, then we also have to increase power rates.”
Baules said for residential consumers consuming 0 to 500 kilowatt per hour and are paying 23.1 cents per kwh, the new rate will become 25.6 cents.
Those who are consuming 501 to 2000 kwh and paying the current rate of 31.1 cents per kwh will see it increase to 33.6 cents.
Residential consumers who are using 2001 kwh and paying the current rate of 35.6 cents per kwh, will pay 38.1 cents starting in March.
For commercial/government customers, the current rate of 35.6 cents will become 38.1 cents.
Baules said the power rate hike is the first imposed this year.
He said the rates may increase again or decrease in the coming months depending on the price of diesel fuel which is imported from Singapore and Malaysia.
PPUC last imposed a power rate hike, amounting to 9 cents, in June 2010.
