WSC says most consumers qualify for eco reductions

Around 68 per cent of consumers have so far benefited from the eco reduction on their energy bills, according to figures released by the Water Services Corporation yesterday.

The figures emerge from an analysis of bills issued between August and December, released on the same day that Enemalta Corporation issued figures to support its oil buying policy and the Malta Resources Authority presented its own projections for the impact of the new tariffs on households.

The statistics cover a period which goes back to two months before the introduction of the new regime. But the government explained this saying the exercise was carried out for the purpose of analysis.

The Infrastructure Ministry said the figures clearly confirm the government's previous estimate of 73 per cent, shooting down the arguments of those who suggested that many people would not benefit from the eco-reduction.

The resources authority's own conclusion, based on an analysis of past bills, is that 56 per cent of households will benefit from an eco-reduction on every bill while 24 per cent will benefit "sometimes". "The government based its statements on facts while the Labour Party was more interested in shooting off figures without any basis," said the Ministry.

The issue was also hotly contested by the unions, which argued that a substantial number of people, including one- and two-person households, mostly pensioners, would be excluded from the reductions.

The ministry challenged anyone sceptical to appoint independent auditors and verify the figures.

The tariffs, which were introduced retroactively from October 1, have been the subject of ongoing controversy and were changed several times since they were first presented.

During meetings between the government and social partners in November, it was agreed that the eco-reduction threshold would rise for both families and single-person households.

According to the new tariffs, a one-person household is entitled to an eco-reduction of 25 per cent against a limit of 2,000 kilowatt-hours a year. For two or more person households, there is a 25 per cent eco-reduction against 1,000 kWh per person in a year.

If the consumption is less than 1,750 kWh per person, then the eco-reduction is of 15 per cent.