TNB tanggung sebahagian besar RM248 juta kos perlindungan bil elektrik

Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) announced in September that it would bear most of the RM248 million cost for the electricity bill protection scheme, according to the Minister of Energy, Water and Communications, Fadillah Yusof. The scheme covers households using up to 800 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per month, with an estimated bill of RM328 or less.

The scheme aims to benefit approximately eight million households or 90% of domestic electricity users on the Peninsula. The eligibility threshold was increased from 600kWh to 800kWh due to concerns about higher electricity bills during hot and humid weather. TNB is expected to bear additional costs of between RM120 million and RM150 million under the scheme in September, although the exact portion borne by TNB cannot be disclosed by the ministry, as September's fuel supply costs are shared with the government.

Lim questioned whether the eligibility threshold could be raised to 1,000kWh per month to help households facing higher electricity usage. Fadillah stated that such suggestions require cost, financing, and household suitability assessments. The ministry is also working with the Energy Commission, TNB, and the agency responsible for purchasing electricity from generators to investigate fuel price subsidies starting in 2027.

This review will consider electricity usage, fuel costs, and methods for fairly distributing additional generation costs among users, including the "polluter pays" principle. The ministry may decide on further enhancements to the protection scheme, including raising the bill protection limit to 1,000kWh per month, after the review is completed.