The physical electricity bill hasn’t arrived at Julio’s house for a long time, but his consumption is always around $60, so he pays with that value at a nearby store and they help him by specifying the exact value. Last week, he was surprised because his consumption increased to $74.15, and this caused suspicion because one of his two air conditioners was damaged, so he no longer uses it, except that they disappeared.

Other customers of the public power company Corporación Nacional de Electricidad (CNEL) have also seen their wages increase and share their surprise that they have to pay more for service amid energy rationalization. However, currently issued bills do not yet reflect the reduced consumption due to the power outage.

The government assures that it will not increase electricity prices due to low levels

The Ministry of Energy reported that the average national rate for electrical services in the residential sector remains at 10.4 cents per kilowatt hour, even considering the measures taken to supply energy and cover national demand, assuring that there will be no increase due to. until the dry season. The price list is revised every year, it is valid from January 1 and will be valid until December 31, 2023.

Electricity rationing began in the country on October 27, 2023, and the issuance of the last payslips took place days before that. For example, Julio reviewed his account on the CNEL portal and read that his refund was issued on October 23. In another sector of northern Guayaquil, the forms that arrived at homes have an issue date of October 21 for consumption between September 22 and October 21.

The government suspends power cuts for five days, the production of hydroelectric power plants is at 67%, and thermal power plants at 33%

In the sector of La Aurora, which belongs to the jurisdiction of Daula-Guayas, the forms began to be received this week. Some residents in the area have already been issued bills for the electricity used from October 2 to 31. In those 29 days, 314 kWh were used in Marisol’s home, so she has to pay $30.24.

On that bill, which provides for the first four days of rationing, there is a minimal reduction compared to the last payment corresponding to consumption from September 2 to October 2, when he paid $30.65 for the 318 kWh consumed in those 30 days.

For the other sectors of coverage of the Guayas-Los Ríos branch of the CNEL, the payrolls have not yet been registered on its portal.