The price of electricity has risen to 2,700 kyats per unit in some villages that are distributing electricity through a self-help system in Ye Township, according to the locals.

A local of Khawza town in Ye Township, said the electricity distribution company informed them that the electricity bill for January was charged at the rate of 2,000 kyats per unit and the electricity bill used in February would be increased by 2,700 kyats per unit in March.

He continued, “In the past, due to fuel shortages, the price of electricity has risen to 3,000 kyats per unit. And it fell back to 2,000 kyats. On February 25, one unit was charged at the rate of 1,900 kyats. Starting from March 25, they will charge 2,700 kyats per unit.”

Since there is no power grid in Ye Township, Mon State, private companies and independent electricity distributors are using large generators to distribute electricity.

A person distributing electricity through a self-help system in Ye Township said that since the people who distribute electricity on their own have to run large generators to get electricity, the electricity price is being adjusted depending on the price of fuel.

He continued, “There is a sense in which the electricity bill is calculated based on the cost of fuel and fuel transportation. If fuel prices will rise or depending on the situation of paying road tolls regarding fuel transportation, the price will be changed.”

A local from the south of Ye Township said that in some villages in Ye Township, where electricity is distributed through a self-help system, there are many locals who are not afford to use the electricity because the price of electricity has gone up to 2,700 kyats per unit.

He continued, “When the price of electricity went up, many people could no longer use electricity. After the electricity was cut off, they have to use candles to light up the night and wood to cook rice and curries.”

According to locals, electricity is distributed only from 6 am to 9 pm in the southern areas of Ye Township, and due to the increase in the price of electricity, most of the houses have to use only their home lighting system.

There are two main private companies distributing electricity in Ye Township, Mon State, and they have been charging 1,800 kyats per unit of electricity in the past and since January, the electricity rate has been increased to 2,000 kyats per unit.

Recently, armed groups have opened checkpoints along the Thanbyuzayat-Ye road and are asking for money, so the people in Ye township, Mon State are experiencing higher commodities prices and other costs, according to the residents.