Electricity rate to prioritize public good: minister
Electricity rate to prioritize public good: minister
By Liao Chia-ning / Staff reporter, with CNA
The government’s policy regarding electricity rate adjustments would continue to prioritize the public’s livelihood and overall price stability, Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin (龔明鑫) said today, amid reports that rates could be frozen in consideration of November’s upcoming election.
Local media have reported that rates could be frozen in October, following a scheduled meeting by the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ electricity price review committee next month.
Prior to a hearing at the legislature’s Economics Committee, Kung told reporters that the ministry would provide comprehensive data to the committee for reference, although the final decision on rate adjustments rests entirely with the committee.
A woman checks an electricity meter in an apartment building in New Taipei City in an undated photograph.
Photo: CNA
When pressed on whether a potential price freeze was politically motivated, Kung said that there are “no electoral considerations.”
In response to concern that a rate freeze could put even greater financial strain on state-run Taiwan Power Co (Taipower), Kung said that the ministry has been discussing the matter with the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics, including what forms of support could be provided to Taipower.
Kung was at the legislature to present a report and field questions regarding Taiwan Sugar Corp’s (Taisugar) corporate governance and risk control.
The session focused on the Central Union Oil (中聯油脂) tainted cooking oil incident, Taisugar land sales, major debt recovery efforts and improvements addressing the National Audit Office’s suggestions from last year.