Rising Power Bills During Ramadan Linked to Heat and Increased Usage, Says STELCO

The State Electric Company Limited (STELCO) has linked the recent surge in electricity bills during the holy month of Ramadan to an overall spike in energy consumption, which coincided with the onset of hotter weather across the Maldives.

Despite a government-mandated 10% discount on both electricity and water bills for local households during Ramadan, many residents have expressed frustration over unusually high charges. Several consumers took to social media and other platforms to voice concerns, with some claiming their electricity bills had nearly doubled compared to previous months.

In response to the growing discontent, STELCO’s media spokesperson, Ahmed Mohamed, explained that the increase in bills was largely due to elevated electricity usage during specific times of the day. He noted that energy demand typically rises in the afternoon and again after the Isha prayer during Ramadan, as families prepare for iftar and engage in nighttime activities.

Ahmed also clarified that the discounts provided were not uniform across all households but were instead calculated based on each customer’s average electricity consumption over the past nine months. As a result, the effective rebate may have varied from one household to another.

To ease concerns, STELCO had previously committed to implementing a billing model that averages monthly consumption over a nine-month period, ensuring that Ramadan bills would not surpass what customers typically pay. However, the company acknowledged that due to seasonal temperature increases, overall usage patterns naturally shifted, impacting final bill amounts despite the applied discount.

As public frustration grows, STELCO continues to urge customers to monitor their usage and take advantage of energy-saving practices, particularly during high-demand periods.