PLN formally announces power tariff increase for 2003

State electricity company PLN announced on Tuesday an averaged six percent rise in power rates for each quarter of 2003, starting from January 1.

PLN president director Eddie Widiono said power price increase would be effective for all groups of consumers including households and industries.

Earlier, the director general of electricity and energy development, Luluk Suniarso, said that under the new tariff structure the average basic tariff per three months would be Rp605 (US$=Rp8,950) per kilo watt hour (kWh).

The tariff raise aims to cut government electricity subsidy, thus reducing pressures on the state budget. (godang)