New electricity rates still under study
The new electricity rates, due to come into force on January 1, remain shrouded in mystery as the Malta Resources Authority is still evaluating the proposals for the tariffs submitted by Enemalta.
The process has already been under way for the past three weeks, during which consumers have not been told what to expect. Enemalta and the Water Services Corporation are not allowed to announce the proposed rates by order of the MRA.
A spokesman for the authority said the evaluation process was still going on and no deadline had been set for any announcement to be made.
In the past, it has taken the MRA several weeks to approve the public utility companies' tariff revisions. Last year, tariffs introduced on April 1 were published by Enemalta in March and only approved by the authority in May.
The Infrastructure Ministry has justified the January 1 increase by citing higher operating costs, primarily the rise in the price of oil which represents 62 per cent of Enemalta's expenses. Its forecasts show that fuel oil is expected to cost more next year than it did in October 2008 when the new tariffs were introduced.
The total increase in costs for Enemalta and WSC to be borne by consumers is expected to be about €85.6 million. Of these, €74.9 million are attributable to higher oil prices and €10.7 million to investments in the new sewage treatment plants, the smart meter system and the new power station at Delimara.
The higher bill for oil includes a €21.5 million shortfall the corporation is expected to register at the end of 2009 because income from tariffs was not sufficient to fully cover oil costs.
Early last month, employers and unions urged the MRA to announce the new tariffs immediately, saying that the uncertainty would have a negative effect on trade during the festive season.
Meanwhile, the police are still investigating the explosion at the Marsa power station that disrupted power supply across the country on Wednesday last week. The magisterial inquiry is also still underway.
Confirming that the two probes have not yet been concluded, the police said it was "not prudent" to comment further.
The switchgear tripped, prompting an automatic emergency system that cut off the power. A fire caused by a blast was extinguished by another automated safety response system and no one was injured. One hour after the explosion, electricity started coming back in various areas and by 11.30 a.m. all power had been restored.
Popular Stories
Update 3: Woman found dead in car,...
Updated: Woman dies in car crash
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Part of Dwejra 'Azure window' collapses
The end of the bar that ‘never closed’
Bundy does not know whether to...
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
This WAS the night - Kurt makes it...
Petrol price up 6c
In Discussion
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
Gozo tunnel could take 5-7 years to...
CABS remote controlled aircraft shot...
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Joseph Calleja condemns portrayal of...
Updated: Labour would give...
CABS drone shot down
Second group of migrants arrives
Adrian Vassallo in scathing...
9 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
M Grech
Nov 27th 2009, 17:22
The MRA seems to be operating in energy saving mode. Weeks pass and there is no result. To top it up, no deadlines are set. And let's face it, why should they? They still get paid at the end of the month.
Joseph Grech
Nov 27th 2009, 17:13
@I. Cilia, I never said that ''it is a personal sacrifice to have a second home.'' What I said was: ''it was thanks to personal sacrifice that these residences were acquired!'' Surely you understand the difference my friend. However it may please you to know that if the Utility Rates will negatively affect the owners of second homes making them pay unjust fees then it will become almost impossible to keep a second home. I agree with you when you say that it is just as much a personal sacrifice for you (me too!) to have our first home... Like you I do not have a mansion my friend! Neither was I given my main home for free! As regard your solution: ''that second home is worth money... if you cannot afford it..then sell it... or do not use it...'' this is the most stupid, egoistical, jealous bit of NONSENSE I have ever read. Shame on you for putting such selfish nonsense into print!
Stefan Engelbert
Nov 27th 2009, 14:54
Regarding the smart readers I would know if data protection has been considered. It would not be a nice feeling if the guys at enemalta can see when I open the fridge or can see exactly at what time of the days here is nobody at home, etc.
Monitoring the consumption of the customers in realtime would hurt everybodies privacy!
I. Cilia
Nov 27th 2009, 14:01
@Joseph Grech
you say it is a personal sacrifice to have a second home...
let me just tell you that it is just as much a personal sacrifice for me to have my first home... and just a teeny weeny little flat not a mansion...
how do you want to classify them?
i m sorry but that second home is worth money... if you cannot afford it..then sell it... or do not use it...
and considering that most of these second homes could have been bought because the government gave you a house for free or little money!!!!!
I am sorry but some people have all the cheek in this world!!!
Joseph Grech
Nov 27th 2009, 12:27
Please P.M. Cabinet and Enemalta: do not inflict unacceptably high Utility rates onto the shoulders of people who use a second home for their holidays - this of course does NOT include those who RENT IT OUT TO OTHERS...Many people, especially pensioners ''emigrate'' to their summer residences often staying there for several months, this serving as their annual ''holiday''! Why should these folk be penalised by having to pay Utilty bills that are astronomically high? It is not fair that Enemalta should classify these residences as having 0 persons residing in them!
Please do not treat owners of a summer flat as if they are the rich of this fair land - it was thanks to personal sacrifice that these residences were acquired! This is surely an issue that requires looking into NOW. The P.M. and Cabinet are well advised to ensure that it is.
Galea. L
Nov 27th 2009, 12:17
"The total increase in costs for Enemalta and WSC to be borne by consumers is expected to be about €85.6 million. Of these, €74.9 million are attributable to higher oil prices and €10.7 million to investments in the new sewage treatment plants, the smart meter system and the new power station at Delimara."
Re smart meters, is it true that some of them had to be taken off again and replaced with the old meters because the smart meters suffer from interference? Smart meters indeed that the people are being made to pay for! They are going to be another white elephant paid for by the people.
joseph saliba
Nov 27th 2009, 11:39
Some governors created problems for the people. Others are trying to solve problems with the people.
m.pace2
Nov 27th 2009, 11:11
When the M.R.A. will go into its senses and think that the common citizien in the street is suffering and does;nt pay the huge debits that been done by the Big Heads whom are running this state of ours- speak first to suffering families before you judge the costs or M.R.A. is just figure head what the government say
Josephine Dalli
Nov 27th 2009, 10:16
Dr Gonzi - there's still time for a re-think about this. If you persist in listening to the advise given by some of your arrogant and soulless ministers and advisers, you'll be digging your own political grave and bring about an abrupt end to your short political career. Your dream of building the new parliament and opera house should be shelved for now and you should spend the money on implementing social justice. Giving the Maltese 10m Euros worth of peanut grants will not compensate for the misery and sufferings which a further increase will cause on the majority of Maltese families.