Increases are not normally good tidings. But there are situations which require price rises. This might be the case as for electricity prices. Oil is getting scarce worldwide and this may soon be detrimental to electricity production. But, before implementing any increase, the government has chosen another method: making people aware of the economic dangers ahead if nothing is done to save energy.

At the end of last week, the minister launched his “practical guide to save electricity while still living comfortably”. ‘Save energy – I can do it as from today’ is aimed at changing people’s attitudes by making them realise the situation is serious and they can help make it better. According to Central Electricity Board (CEB) chairman, Patrick Assirvaden, the main problem the institution has to tackle is wastage. The small book may lead in the right direction.

But the government may not stop with just an awareness campaign. If the situation continues - with oil prices skyrocketing on the world market - the government might have no other choice than to increase electricity tariffs. Even though no firm decision has been taken yet, such a decision might become unavoidable in the future.

Among other ideas, the government thought of the «time of use» method that is already implemented in other countries like in Great Britain. If such a method were to be applied, it would first affect commercial and industrial sectors but it may well be extended to domestic use soon afterwards. This would imply that the CEB would increase its tariffs during peak hours – that is 6pm and 9pm. However, tariffs would drop during the night and will even be very competitive during that period. Hence, it would be a matter of using energy more efficiently to avoid increasing one’s monthly bill.

In view of the regular increase in the use of electric energy, the CEB will have to invest in new machines working with gas or diesel every year if it wants to meet customer demand. This will require about one billion rupees, which the CEB does not have for the moment.

<B>‘Save energy’ campaign</B>

But, more importantly, this measure lies in the framework of the ‘save energy’ campaign of the ministry of Public utilities. With higher electricity costs, consumers should think twice about wasting energy. Both the ministry and the CEB want Mauritians to develop a new energy-saving mentality.

This new method has been “successfully implemented in other countries such as England,” explained minister Kasenally. For the moment, the production of electricity between 6pm and 9pm by the CEB costs about Rs 7 per KWh. However it is sold at only Rs 3 to the domestic and commercial sectors. Hence, this is all about reducing the gap.

As the industrial and commercial sectors are those consuming most of the electricity produced by the CEB – about 60 % - the measure will first apply to them. But the implementation of the new method for domestic consumers, especially those consuming from Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000 worth of electricity every month, is also on the agenda.

It is a well-known fact that the best way of getting people’s attention is to touch their pockets. Even though the minister does not want to apply such a measure for the moment, no doubt that this make people more aware of energy saving and develop a more responsible attitude towards electricity. Unless they change their behaviour before any rise occurs!