EAC cuts vulnerable groups’ subsidy charge

The electricity company (EAC) announced on Monday that it was cutting the Public Service Obligation (PSO) surcharge following the approval of the energy regulator.

PSO is a charge included in bills that is used to subsidise vulnerable groups who are on a different tariff.

The EAC said PSO would be reduced from 0.136 cents/kWh to 0.065cents/kWh starting this month.

PSO is part of the state’s welfare policy, enforced by many European Union countries.

This funds the 20 per cent discount afforded to vulnerable groups.
So far, 15,500 beneficiaries have been placed on the special tariff, out of a total of 42,500.
The PSO is used to subsidise consumers on the 08 tariff, which is reserved for certain categories of consumers provided they fit certain criteria.

They include large families, public assistance recipients, guaranteed minimum income recipients, and people on disability allowances.

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