Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Johanne Prosper
Published on 2024-03-03 14:00:04
The CEB asserts that bills are proportional to the increase in consumption
There has been no tariff increase since February 2023, affirms the electricity provider
Many consumers were astonished to find that their electricity bills for the month of February were particularly high and expressed their concerns to the Central Electricity Board (CEB), protesting vehemently against what they believed to be the result of an electricity tariff increase. However, according to the CEB management, this was not the case, as they had warned about the increasing trends in electricity consumption and urge the population to adopt more responsible consumption habits.
In a statement issued on Friday, the CEB stated that every year, the month of February is characterized by a significant increase in electricity demand and that there has been a consistent upward trend in electricity consumption over the years. As a result, the February bills reflect the electricity consumption during the holiday period, when the population tends to use more electricity.
Avoiding unnecessary waste
Since November 2023, the CEB has launched an awareness campaign to encourage consumers to exercise stricter control over their electricity consumption. The goal is to avoid unnecessary waste during festive periods and prevent excessive bills. The CEB emphasizes that adjustments in energy habits can have a significant impact on the final bill amount.
According to the exclusive electricity provider in Mauritius, the months of December and January – being among the longest and hottest months of the year – inadvertently encourage the population to use fans and air conditioners intensively, both day and night. The CEB reminds that air conditioners can consume between 1 and 2 kilowatts per hour (kWh) and using them all night can result in a consumption of 10 kWh.
Over a month, this amounts to 300 kWh, approximately Rs 1,800 for an air conditioner. The CEB’s pricing is progressive, meaning that the higher the consumption, the higher the cost per unit. This model aims to encourage consumers to adopt energy-saving practices.
The CEB specifies that some consumers have associated the increase in their bills with a rise in electricity tariffs. However, this is not the case, as the last tariff hike was approved by the Utility Regulatory Authority (URA) in February 2023.
However, the CEB notes that only 15% of the 410,000 domestic subscribers were directly affected by this tariff increase. Approximately 60,000 consumers still benefit from a 20% reduction thanks to the social tariff.
To increase transparency, the CEB encourages subscribers with smart meters and the MoKouran application to verify their consumption during the period from December to January. This initiative aims to further empower consumers regarding their energy habits.
Empowering consumption
In conclusion, the CEB management calls on the population to exercise stricter control over their electricity consumption and emphasizes that the best way to reduce electricity bills is not to waste energy. This approach not only helps preserve the environment but also lightens the financial burden on consumers. The CEB is committed to maintaining transparency while promoting wise electricity use for the well-being of all.
Read the original article(French) on Le Mauricien
