Parliamentarians raise criticism of electricity rate hikes – La Discusión 2024-07-09 19:32:33

The Chamber’s Mining and Energy Committee received the Minister of Energy, Diego Pardow, who explained the scope of the increases in electricity bills, considering the increase that will occur from July due to the entry into force of the Electricity Tariff Stabilization Law.

On the eve of this increase, the Secretary of State gave an account of the background on the temporary subsidy for households. He explained that the applicant households must belong to the 40% bracket of the Social Registry of Households and be up to date with their electricity bill payments.

To access the service, you must log in to www.subsidioelectrico.cl using your unique code, starting in the second half of 2024. The discount will be applied through the same account and is estimated to benefit 1.5 million households.

Regarding the technical advisory committee for the tariff stabilization law, the minister explained that within thirty calendar days from the publication of the law, the committee must be formed and will last four months.

Its main themes will be aimed at evaluating other sources of financing, in order to increase the annual amount of the temporary subsidy. It will also evaluate other policies aimed at reducing the increase in electricity rates for regulated customers.

ETheir obligations include ensuring the participation of the actors in the electricity market and civil society, especially those organizations that bring together different types of consumers.

It will also submit a report with recommendations and conclusions associated with the objectives entrusted to the Ministry of Energy and the Mining and Energy Committees of both chambers of the National Congress.

Parliamentary remarks

In their inIn their interventions, parliamentarians raised criticism of the figures presented by the Secretary of State.

In this regard, there were questions related, for example, to electro-dependent patients and the upcoming increase, considering that some of these families are already in debt.

They also pointed out that there is confusion regarding how the semesters reported by the authority were distributed. They argued that it is necessary to review the contracts with the generators.

They also stressed that beyond the four years in which there was no adjustment, consideration should be given to whether it is possible to increase the 40% proposed as beneficiaries of the temporary subsidy.

Other observations raised relate to the energy generated in the north, without benefits for the area in which these companies are located.