TNB to bear bulk of RM248mil electricity bill relief cost

Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister Fadillah Yusof revealed that Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) will shoulder the majority of RM248 million in costs for the Malaysian government's four-month electricity bill relief scheme. The relief scheme, launched in September, covers households consuming up to 800 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity monthly, corresponding to an estimated bill of RM328 or less.

This initiative aims to benefit approximately eight million households, accounting for 90% of domestic electricity users on the peninsula. TNB has estimated its share of additional costs to be between RM120 million and RM150 million, with the government and TNB sharing the expense for September. From October to December, TNB will bear the entire responsibility for fuel adjustment charges, while the government will cover RM32 million in sales and service tax (SST) exemptions.

The scheme, initially set to assist households consuming up to 600 kWh, was expanded to include those using up to 800 kWh after receiving complaints about rising electricity bills during hotter weather and haze conditions. The government has expressed openness to further raising the eligibility limit to 1,000 kWh per month, contingent upon a cost and feasibility study conducted by the ministry alongside the Energy Commission, TNB, and the body responsible for purchasing electricity from power producers.