Electricity rates increase in Heredia

Starting in June, residents and businesses in Heredia, north of the capital, will see higher electric bills, according to the Public Services Regulatory Authority (ARESEP).

ARESEP announced the approval of new electricity rates for 2012 and 2013 in a statement Monday. Residents of Heredia can expect to pay about ₡8 more per kilowatt-hour starting next month, the statement indicated.

The general rate, applied to businesses, will go up about 6 percent, while residential and industrial rates will see a 13 and 14 percent hike, respectively for the rest of 2012. Rates for businesses will drop, according to ARESEP, an average of about 1.5 percent in 2013.

An average family who consumes about 200 kwh per month now pays about ₡9,400 ($18.50). That will go up to to ₡11,000 ($21.60) and stay there through 2013. A typical family currently pays ₡47 per kwh up to 200 kwh per month. That will jump to ₡55 per kwh for 2012 and 2013. Currently, residents pay ₡67 per kwh when consuming more than 200 kwh per month. That will jump to ₡73 per kwh in 2012 and 2013.

Businesses will see a drop of about 1.5 percent in their rates during 2013. The bill for up to 3,000 kwh per month will drop from ₡255,000 ($501) to ₡246,000 ($483).

The new rates will be published next week in the official newspaper La Gaceta.