Public utilities

The onset of Costa Rica's rainy season and the launch of two renewable energy projects have prompted a decrease in electricity rates for the next quarter.

The Public Services Regulatory Authority (ARESEP) announced Tuesday that electricity rates for all but one of the country's electricity providers will go up starting next month.

Electricity rates in Costa Rica will be up to 5 percent cheaper for customers of six of the country’s eight main suppliers thanks to abundant renewable energy.

The public services regulator approved a 6.7 percent cut in electricity rates for customers of the Costa Rican Electricity Institute starting in January.

The Public Services Regulatory Authority (ARESEP) approved an increase in electricity rates which, while only half the percentage increase requested by Costa Rica's National Power and Light Company (CNFL), is still a huge jump.

The National Power and Light Company (CNFL) on Wednesday will launch an 11-month plan to eliminate printed monthly electricity bills for almost all of its customers.

The Public Services Regulatory Authority is evaluating a general cut in electricity rates starting next month, but three public utility companies have filed requests to raise them.

Electricity rates for all of Costa Rica's generators will decrease by 1.15 to 3.82 percent starting Oct. 1.

Costa Rica's publicly-owned National Power and Light Company is requesting an increase in electricity rates that could raise basic rates for its customers by 36 percent.

Early on Monday Gas Zeta announced it will dismiss 275 of its employees who fail to show to work. At around 5:30 p.m. company's representatives said they set a Thursday deadline for workers to resume their jobs.