Electricity, water prices lowered in atolls

The rate for electricity and water services in the atolls have been lowered to the same rate as Male’ City.

Speaking at a press conference this Tuesday, Minister of Environment and Energy, Toriq Ibrahim announced the government has made the decision to lower electricity and water prices in the atolls to the same rate as Male’ City, after much hard work. He said the project was a special initiative by President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.

Toriq said the authorities will charge MVR 1.50 for 0-400 units – instead of MVR 2.20; MVR 1.70 for 101-300 units – instead of MVR 2.75; MVR 2.15 for 201-300 units – instead of MVR 3.40; and MVR 2.50 for 301-400 units – instead of MVR 3.50.

The minister said the new changes will take effect from the month of March. People living in the atolls will enjoy an 85 percent decrease in their electricity bill in March.

He said the lowering of electricity prices in the atolls was the second phase in the government’s efforts to lower the overall electricity prices.

“I’ll say, this is the second phase. The first phase was to charge the same electricity tariff in the atolls, except for Male’ City. That was in February, 2016. Now, the tariff rate in the Male’ region for lower than 400 units is the same tariff rate as in the atolls,” said Toriq.

The government has also lowered the rate for water services in the atolls.

Authorities will charge MVR 22 for 0-100 liters – instead of MVR 66; MVR 70 for 101-200 liters – instead of MVR 75; and MVR 95 for over 200 liters – instead of MVR 100.

The minister said the changes to the water prices will be enforced for water bills for this January.