Residential Summer Electricity Rates Start June 1; Average Monthly Bill Expected to Rise by NT$446

Central News Agency, Taipei, May 31. Residential summer electricity rates will take effect tomorrow, running from June 1 to September 30. Taipower's website states that rising temperatures in summer lead to increased air conditioning usage and higher electricity consumption. Last year, the average monthly electricity consumption for residential users during the summer was 418 kWh, nearly 40% higher than in non-summer months, resulting in an average monthly increase of NT$446. Taipower explained that because summer temperatures are high and air conditioning demand surges, the company must activate more expensive power generation units to meet peak demand. To fairly reflect the cost difference and encourage energy conservation, the summer rate system has been in place since 1989. Residential and small business users are subject to these rates from June to September, while high-voltage users are subject from May 16 to October 15. Taipower analyzed that of the NT$446 increase, about 73% (NT$326) is due to increased usage, while only about 27% (NT$120) is due to the rate adjustment. Under the progressive rate system, the basic rate for the first 120 kWh remains unchanged at NT$1.78 per kWh.