TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Higher summer electricity rates will take effect Monday and remain in place through Sept. 30, state-run utility Taipower said, per CNA.
The utility said rising temperatures during the summer months lead to increased air conditioner use, with average monthly household electricity consumption during the summer reaching 418 kilowatt-hours, nearly 40% higher than during non-summer months. This results in an average monthly increase in electricity bills of NT$446 (US$14.19).
However, Taipower said NT$326, or about 73% of the increase, is due to higher electricity usage, while the actual increase caused by seasonal rate adjustments is about NT$120, accounting for 27%.
Taipower said surging electricity demand during the summer requires it to activate higher-cost power generation units, increasing overall operating costs. The company said it introduced higher summer electricity rates in 1989 to encourage energy conservation, noting that similar seasonal pricing systems are used in the US, Japan, and South Korea.
The utility said consumers may perceive electricity bills as rising sharply because both electricity usage and rates increase simultaneously during the summer months. It added that comparing bills from the same period last year provides a more accurate reflection of changes in electricity costs, per CNA.
Under Taipower’s progressive residential electricity pricing system, electricity rates are divided into six tiers based on consumption levels. For residential users consuming less than 120 kWh, the rate remains unchanged year-round at NT$1.68 per kWh.
Summer rates for higher usage tiers are NT$2.45 per kWh for consumption between 121 and 330 kWh, NT$3.70 for 331 to 500 kWh, NT$5.04 for 501 to 700 kWh, NT$6.24 for 701 to 1,000 kWh, and NT$8.46 for usage exceeding 1,000 kWh.
