05th June 2016 The Electricity Commission has approved the new power tariff of 72.11 seniti/kWh or a 2.12 seniti increase per kWh effective for the power consumption from 1st July 2016. The 2.12 seniti/kWh is an increase in the fuel tariff component for the price of electricity. This is due to the increase in the price of diesel which has gone up by 16 seniti since February 2016 as advised by the Competent Authority.
The new published rate is an increase from the current 69.99 seniti/kWh which took effect in March 2016. This is directly related to the increase in the regulated price of diesel of 16.04 seniti per litre (or 18.4%) from 87.34 seniti per litre in February 2016 to $1.0338 per litre in June. This increase announced today will take effect on Friday, 1st July 2016.
The new power tariff is still 18% lower than the power price of 87.79 seniti back in February 2015.
Our solar and wind renewable energy projects helped reduce our electricity tariff by 6 seniti/kWh. Without the operation of the solar and wind projects our electricity tariff would be much higher at 78.11 seniti/kWh instead of the 72.11 seniti/kWh today.
The Electricity tariff is regulated by the Electricity Act and administered by the Electricity Commission. The tariff adjustment is determined by a process set down in the Concession Agreement between Tonga Power Ltd and the Electricity Commission. The Competent Authority is the Tongan Government Agency which sets the landed price of diesel which Tonga Power Ltd uses for their power generation.
Thank you,
Tonga Power Ltd.
1st July 2016