By Stelco, the electricity provider for the Greater Malé area, has begun sending teams to households to investigate why electricity bills spiked last month. The company reported that 6% of households in Malé City and 15% of households in Hulhumalé experienced higher bills.
During a media briefing, Stelco’s Managing Director, Hussain Fahmy, explained that the company identified these households and will conduct energy audits to find out the reasons behind the increase. The teams will visit apartments to inspect the condition of the homes, evaluate the types of appliances used, and assess the insulation of the apartments.
Fahmy emphasized that Stelco bases its bills on accurate meter readings and assured that the company does not engage in fraudulent billing. He noted that some of the apartments in Hulhumalé are large, ranging from 1,500 to 2,000 square feet, which might contribute to higher electricity usage.
The Managing Director also encouraged residents who have concerns about their bills to request an energy audit. The rise in electricity bills has been a topic of discussion on social media, with many residents sharing their experiences.
Stelco supplies electricity to 70,000 households in the Greater Malé area, with peak electricity demand reaching 100 MW. The company has observed an annual increase of 8% to 10% in electricity consumption and anticipates that peak demand could reach 120 MW within the next year.