The national government has implemented a significant increase in gas and electricity bills for businesses, industries and homes. This increase, aimed at reducing spending on subsidies, represents a change in tariff policy that will affect all economic and social sectors.
Through four resolutions published in the Official Gazette, the Ministry of Energy has simplified the gas and electricity tariff scheme, segmenting households into three levels: high (N1), low (N2) and medium (N3) income. The new regulations imply an adjustment in the maximum subsidized consumption for low- and medium-income households, while the progressive elimination of state aid for families with high income or assets continues.
This measure will have retroactive effects to June 1 and will result in an increase that exceeds 156%, in some cases reaching 200% or more. It should be noted that these increases are cumulative with respect to previous rates, which had already experienced significant adjustments of between 300% and 400% for higher-income households.
Regarding gas rates, the changes are reflected in the following average values of the final invoices:
N1 users (average consumption of 149 m³/month): increase of 9%, going from $25,756 to $28,142.
N2 users (average consumption of 159 m³/month): increase of 33%, going from $15,638 to $20,797.
N3 users (average consumption of 171 m³/month): 10% increase, going from $24,465 to $26,865.
Regarding electricity, for average residential consumption of 260 kWh per month, the final bills will increase as follows:
N1 users: 23% increase, going from $24,710 to $30,355.
N2 users: 100% increase, going from $6,295 to $12,545.
N3 users: 156% increase, going from $6,585 to $16,850.
Prices and bonuses
The average gas price for all users was set at US$3.29 per million BTU. This new price affects different income levels differently:
N1 users: will pay full price.
N2 users: will pay 36% of the reference value, that is, US$1.18, which is equivalent to a 64% bonus.
N3 users: will pay 45% of the reference value, that is, US$1.81, with a 55% bonus.
Transportation and distribution rates remain unchanged, so the impact of the increase will be approximately 6% additional for all users, accumulating the increase of more than 400% applied in April.
Users who have already registered in the Registry of Access to Energy Subsidies (RASE) do not need to register again to continue receiving the subsidy. Those who have not yet done so have a period of 60 days to register; Otherwise, they will be excluded from the benefit.
