Plan to modify the electricity rates irritates to the residential customers

Consumers of Costa Rica rejects the claim from business sector

Companies expect that if they lower the amount of electricity, jobs will be created

October 08,2013.

The idea of ​​lowering the electricity tariff medium industries and consumption increases offset this reduction with residential customers, is not well seen by the Consumers Association of Costa Rica.

The proposal, already accepted for consideration by the Regulatory Authority for Public Services (Aresep), was presented by the Costa Rican Association of Costa Rica Large Consumers (Acograce) on 27 September.

According to ARESEP, manufacturers rebates apply to 39% in turnover, in order to improve the country's competitiveness and not sacrifice jobs as a result of the high cost of your electric bill.

The increases in rates for houses would range from 2.20% to 11% as the company that offers the power supply.

According Acograce, that increase would be ¢ 1,025 on average per dwelling.

"We can not agree that the residential sector is sacrificed in front of the industrial sector, especially since the benefits for both companies are not going to see directly thousands of homes," said Erick Ulate, representative of the Consumers Association of Costa Rica .

The spokesman stressed that talk of more industrial jobs, but do not say how many people to hire in the coming months.

For his part, Ronald Jimenez, president of Acograce, defended his approach.

"If electricity rates are improved, there will be more companies to invest in Costa Rica, which would help in the medium and long term, the cost of the fees are diluted among all consumers," he said.

Jaime Molina, president of the Costa Rican Union of Chambers and Associations of Private Sector (Uccaep) gave support to the application of Acograce.

"Unfortunately, there is no other way to achieve this reduction," said Molina.

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