An eco-reduction incentive being proposed as part of a new electricity tariff structure would encourage people to save, a spokesman for the Infrastructure Ministry explained this afternoon.

The government yesterday presented the social partners with five options for a new tariff structure. It said the option most likely to be taken up would see the average bill of households rise by between €1.50 and €5 per week. The meter charge will rise by €40.

However the spokesman explained that the government is also proposing the introduction of an eco-reduction whereby persons living alone who use less than 1,500 kWh per year will get a reduction of 20% on their bills.

People who do not live on their own will get a reduction of 20% when their consumption does not exceed 1,000kWh per year each.

Those who exceed this benchmark by 500 kWh will get a saving of 10%.

The discounts are for domestic accounts only.

The spokesman said many Maltese household fall within or near these benchmarks. Indeed, 54,000 households use less than 1,000 kWh.

The new tariffs will charge the real cost of electricity but they will still encourage people to save, the spokesman said.