7,000 alajuelenses would see rise of 30% on their energy bills

Cooperative justified request to the increase in operating costs and energy purchases to ICE

April 13th,2015

Around 7,000 alajuelenses, subscribers of the Coopealfaroruiz power distributor, would see a 30% increase in their electricity rates in the coming months.

In that case, each kilowatt hour (kWh) would increase from 60 ¢ to 78 ¢. That is; rather than pay ¢ 12,000, a household that consumes 200 kWh per month will disburse ¢ 15,600.

This would be so if the Regulatory Authority for Public Services (Aresep) approved the latest tariff request of the company. In that case, the entity would define a date for the public hearing and the new electricity tariff would enter into force one month after its publication in the Official Gazette.

In its most recent study, the company said that with the rise intended to cover increased operating costs and energy purchases to the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE).

This company provides electric service to 6,796 subscribers in the canton of Alfaro Ruiz, Alajuela: 5,123 are residential, 1,026 are general and 648 industrial. Currently, it sells 0.25% of the total energy generated by the National Electricity System (SEN).

According to ARESEP, Coopealfaroruiz not receive adjustments since February 2012, when he was passed up 0.5%. In 2013, the company requested a new setting of 12.84%, but it was rejected because it was considered that the study lacked data and justification.

Source: "La Nación"