Rising electricity bills across the Maldives are being driven by higher consumption linked to extreme heat, rather than faults in billing systems, according to Fenaka Corporation Limited.
Addressing public concerns on a televised programme on state media, senior officials from the state-owned utility said demand for electricity has increased significantly over the past decade, particularly during prolonged periods of high temperatures. This, they explained, has led to higher generation output and fuel usage across islands.
Fenaka’s Chief Technical Officer Abdulla Nashith stated that electricity generation has risen by around 25 percent on islands, with diesel consumption increasing at a similar rate. He said this trend reflects a surge in demand rather than any systemic issue with billing.
The company noted that higher temperatures can lead to increased energy consumption even without changes in user behaviour. Appliances such as water pumps and cooling systems tend to operate less efficiently in heat, drawing more power to maintain performance.
Fenaka also addressed concerns related to recent billing cycles. Chief Development Officer Mohamed Shujau explained that bill preparation timelines were extended following Ramadan, in line with a government directive to cap electricity bills at USD 26 during the month. He said any unusually high bill is subject to additional verification before being issued, and that administrative adjustments should not be interpreted as tariff increases.
On the question of accuracy, Fenaka said all electricity metres are tested and calibrated before installation, with readings verified under regulatory standards set by the Utility Regulatory Authority. The company added that it remains open to reviewing individual cases where discrepancies are suspected.
With high temperatures expected to persist, authorities are urging households to adopt energy-saving practices to manage electricity costs during peak usage periods.
