CNFL processes 12.2% increase in electricity rates for its subscribers.

The "Compañía Nacional de Fuerza y Luz" ( CNFL ) processes increased electrical service tariffs it charges more than 475,000 subscribers in the metropolitan area.

Of this percentage, 9.20% is to cover their own increases in operating expenses and investments, and 3.09% is to pay for the adjustment in the price of power purchase approved the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE ).

The Company also seeks an increase of 9.9% in the public lighting service.

Both requests will be discussed at a public hearing scheduled by the Regulatory Authority of Public Services (Aresep) for this December 19, at 5 pm, in the auditorium of that entity, in Guachipelín, Escazú.

The CNFL justify current rates are inadequate to cover the operation of the company from next year.

This puts at risk, he adds, "the attention of the obligations, liquidity, profitability, preventing the implementation of the investment plan," says Pablo Cob, general manager of the Company, in its letter of petition to the regulator.

The last adjustment granted to the company was 4.7% and was applied in April this year. According to the Company, the half of which was to cover the increased costs in electricity generation that will Aresep approved by ICE, the leading supplier of electricity.

That rate hike Institute applied last year, but the CNFL was authorized in April.

In 2011 the company received no adjustment in prices, while in previous years the adjustments approved were lower than those required by the distributor.

Source: "La Nación".