EDITORIAL: Power policy needs rethink

BANGKOK POST

Cooperating with the state’s stay-at-home policy as a means of curbing the spread of Covid-19 has caused a major burden for the public — a huge increase in electricity bills. Many households have been shocked by their latest bills which, in some cases, have risen three-fold.

Some households with three or four family members have complained of being charged exorbitant amounts in the range of 7,000-8,000 baht after shifting to work from home as requested by the government. While they understand that bills will be higher with increased power usage when everybody is at home, a three-fold increase is outrageous, and even illogical given that oil prices continue to nosedive.

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The offer of a 3% discount by the electricity agencies is ridiculous. One user said the reduction amounts to just 100 baht while his bill has skyrocketed.

Some have wondered whether there is foul play involved, but power authorities have dismissed those allegations and, instead, encouraged households to submit a complaint if they have experienced an irregular surge in charges so they can recheck the meter in question. They have also stated that higher bills are normal in April, the hottest month of the year, as people tend to turn on fans and air conditioners more during this period. Moreover, electricity is charged for progressivel

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y, and a much higher rate is applied to those who use more.

But they must understand that this is not a normal situation.

The cacophony of complaints prompted Energy Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong to call a meeting with the Energy Regulatory Commission and related agencies to look into possible options to ease the plight of electricity users, some of whom have lost their jobs as a result of the outbreak, while many others have had their pay cheques slashed by struggling employers.

After the initial meeting, the energy companies agreed to roll out assistance measures which will be tabled for cabinet approval today.

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The package includes a higher ceiling for free electricity from the current 90 to 150 units. Usage exceeding this will also be subject to a discount, ranging from 30-100% depending on the number of units used.

The minister did not say how much the assistance, which will last three months if agreed by the cabinet, will cost the relevant agencies.

The swift response by Mr Sontirat and concerned agencies deserves recognition, even though it would have been much better if they had accounted for this eventuality and prevented it from exploding in the first place. It’s a gaffe that only demonstrates the lack of preparation on the part of the state.

More importantly, it should be noted that the package only deals with the immediate problem; it does not tackle the deep-rooted malady in our electricity-generating network.

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Activist Srisuwan Janya yesterday vowed to lodge a complaint with the ombudsman, alleging that these rip-off charges are a result of the state privatising much of the country’s power generation. He said state authorities currently generate only 30% of the country’s power and therefore do not have enough control over the matter. Our oversupply of electricity is an open secret and consumers have been unfairly burdened by generating costs which are factored into bills in the form of a fuel tariff.

The outrage over these huge bills should be a first step towards the public demanding more transparency in the nation’s energy supply policies and the government taking notice.