FENAKA Asserts No Changes to Bills, Says Suspicious Bills Will Be Reviewed

FENAKA Corporation has said that diesel expenditure increases by around 25 per cent across islands during the Iruvai Monsoon each year, adding that this reflects higher electricity consumption rather than billing issues, following complaints over high electricity bills. 

The company’s Chief Technical Officer Abdulla Nashith said in an interview with PSM News that fuel usage typically rises in March and April due to increased demand for electricity during hotter months.

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He said that recent years have shown a consistent increase in electricity consumption from February through to the end of April, and stated that this pattern is linked to seasonal temperature changes rather than errors in billing.

Nashith compared the rise in electricity use to physical exertion, saying that climbing 15 floors requires more energy than climbing five floors, even if no additional “floors” or appliances are added, as cooling systems must work harder in higher temperatures.

He added that this increase in demand naturally leads to higher fuel consumption across islands served by the utility provider.

FENAKA also stated that it will re-examine electricity bills suspected to be incorrect following widespread complaints over unusually high charges in the atolls for March.

Concerns were raised on social media after residents reported that March bills were significantly higher than in previous months. The situation followed a discounted billing period during Ramadan last year, when household electricity bills were capped at MVR 400.

The company said it had followed standard procedures for meter readings and billing and stated that no bills had been issued in violation of applicable laws or regulations. It also said it would assist customers who believe their bills may be inaccurate, including carrying out further verification of meter readings where necessary.

FENAKA urged customers to monitor electricity usage, noting that March, April and May are typically the hottest months of the year.

The Maldives Meteorological Service has previously said that March and April are among the hottest months on record, with peak temperatures expected in April this year.

Electricity providers, including State Electric Company Limited, have also noted that power consumption tends to rise during hotter periods due to increased use of air conditioning and cooling appliances, which contributes to higher bills.