Livelihood in Ye is getting tougher as electric bill reaches nearly 2,000 MMK per unit

September 21, 2023

HURFOM: People in Ye Township, Mon State must buy electricity distributed by private companies who charge very high fees.

Southern Myanmar Development Company (SMD) and Myat Thura Company, both private electricity providers, recently announced that they would begin to charge 1,750 or 1,800 MMK per 1 kWh respectively. The new fee rates begin in September, 2023.

The companies have constantly increased their electricity fees citing the high price of petrol

Previously the price for 1kWh was 1,550 MMK. The price hike is affecting everyone.

“Commodity prices and gasoline prices are high. So it isn’t strange that they’ve tried to increase electricity fees. But businesses run with electricity can’t make profit. They’ll face difficulty,” said an ice-cream maker.

Local people in Ye Township have to pay electricity not only for their household use but also for street lights.

“The electricity fee is high so we can reduce our usage. But I can’t reduce the fee for the street light. We had to pay 2,000 MMK per house for the street light. Then, the fee increased to 7,750 MMK per house. Now, we have to pay nearly 10,000 MMK per house. We’re already experiencing great difficulties and the increased electricity fee makes it even tougher,” said a woman from Northern Ye Township.

SMD announced they are experiencing difficulties in buying gasoline needed for their operations, and they may institute a rotation system for distribution of electricity services to customers.

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under News