Expect a reduction in monthly bills from February following the approved 67 per cent drop in fuel surcharge by the Fiji Electricity Authority.

FEA’s new temporary $1.82 per kWh fuel surcharge, approved by the Commerce Commission early this week, will be effective from January 29.

The current surcharge fee is $5.53 per kWh.

And to assist low income earners, the Commission agreed that no fuel surcharge will be levied on domestic users who consume 75 kWh or less per month of electrical energy.

“For those residential consumers consuming above 75 kWh to 125 kWh per month, a 50 per cent reduction in the maximum fuel surcharge will be applied, which is $0.91 cent per kWh,” the FEA said in a statement.

“No fuel surcharge will be applied to institutions such as primary and secondary schools, and religious bodies,” it added.

The Commerce Commission also agreed that all other consumers consuming electrical energy above 125 kWh per month would pay a fuel surcharge of $1.82 per kWh.

This fuel surcharge will also be applicable to streetlights.

The FEA said the fuel surcharge would be applied each month and showed separately on customers’ bill.

As approved by the Commerce Commission, fuel surcharge will be reviewed if there is a 10 per cent change in the total cost of thermal fuel usage.

The FEA said no fuel surcharge would be applicable if its diesel fuel price reduced to $756 per tonne or less.

“FEA will continue its awareness programmes on energy saving measures through all forms of media, and to inform customers on the imposition of the fuel surcharge.”