The crisis is advancing and the Government knows it. With the data of the red numbers that the national economy presents on different fronts, such as growth, employment, consumption and wealth distribution, among others, the Government resorts once again to the suspension (for the moment) of the increases that were to be applied in July to the electricity and gas rates. It also postponed the entry into force of the fuel tax until later.
In the case of gasoline and diesel, the tax was going to be updated by 115%, which would have produced an impact on suppliers of 18% in the City of Buenos Aires.
According to official sources, the intention is to take into account seasonality (i.e. increased consumption in winter).
The decision was initially made only for July rates with the intention of supporting the recovery of the population’s purchasing power.
The previous
Earlier this month, the Government modified the maximum subsidized consumption caps and bonuses on wholesale electricity and natural gas prices for N2 (low-income) and N3 (middle-income) users in accordance with the Transition Period established by Decree No. 465/24.
The measure marks the beginning of a process to move from a generalized subsidy regime to a targeted one, in which the user can know the cost of kW of electricity and m3 of natural gas, which is identical for everyone.
Likewise, it may determine what assistance the State provides to users according to their ability to pay and that reaches up to a limited consumption limit through the recognition of a lower payment (bonus).
Taking an average consumption bill of 250Kw, the increase in the different categories will be:
– N1 (high income): A bill of $24,710 to $30,355 pesos (increase of 23%). In July, if the consumer maintains the same consumption, he/she will pay the same amount, i.e. $30,355. This covers a universe of 1.5 million households.
– N2: (low income) goes from an average bill of $6,295 to $12,545,260 (99% increase). Comprises 1.9 million users.
– N3 (average income) from $6,585 to $16,850 (156% increase). It includes 1 million clients.
In the case of gas rates, July consumption will not increase either. That is to say, the user will pay exactly the same as in June, as long as their consumption is the same.
For the current month, increases in the established gas tariff table of 9.2% for segment N1, 33% for N2 and 10% for N3 were established.
