Electricity bills to rise by 30 per cent

I fully agree with Peter Apap Bologna (The Power Surcharge In Perspective, July 5) that both Enemalta and the government need to do better with the way that the surcharge increase from 50 per cent to 95 per cent has been communicated to the public.

He reckons that his water and electricity bills will rise by an overall 26 per cent based on his last bill (presumably for two months to April). I did the same exercise but, based on total bills for a full year to April 2008, I came nearer to a 30 per cent rise. I consider this to be a more realistic calculation as this is based on a whole year and on actual readings after eliminating bi-monthly estimates by Enemalta.

Nonetheless the arguments put forward remain valid. I would add another three salient points.

Firstly, it should be remembered that the surcharge was as high as 67.5 per cent at its peak in May 2006 i.e. just two years ago. Secondly, had the government not decided to absorb 20 per cent of the increase in Enemalta's fuel costs, the surcharge increase would have been 115 per cent. At that rate my estimate of the increased overall cost would have risen from 30 per cent to 43 per cent. Thirdly, in relation to May 2006, the increase works out at a mere 16 per cent in two years although crude oil prices have more than doubled during that period.

So much for all the empty talk that the surcharge increase from 50 per cent to 95 per cent will double power costs to those consumers who are liable to pay the surcharge.