Fenaka Blames Extreme Heat and Higher Consumption for Rising Electricity Bills

Fenaka Corporation Limited has addressed growing public concerns over rising electricity costs, asserting that recent spikes in bills are driven by extreme weather and increased consumption rather than systemic billing errors. Speaking on PSM News’ ‘Raajje Miadhu’ programme, Fenaka officials provided a technical breakdown of the current energy crisis. Chief Technical Officer Abdulla Nashith stated that powerhouse generation has increased by 25 percent across every island. This rise in generation is mirrored by a proportional increase in diesel consumption, which the company cites as concrete evidence that the public is demanding more power. Nashith explained that high temperatures force appliances to work harder to maintain efficiency. Cooling systems and water pumps, in particular, consume significantly more energy during prolonged heatwaves, meaning bills can rise even if a household's usage habits remain unchanged. Addressing administrative concerns, Chief Development Officer Mohamed Shujau clarified that recent billing cycle adjustments were not rate hikes. He noted that deadlines for bill preparation were extended following Ramadan, adhering to a government directive that capped bills at USD 26 during the holy month. Shujau emphasized that any unusually high bill undergoes an additional verification stage to ensure accuracy before being issued. To reassure consumers, Fenaka confirmed that all electricity meters are factory-tested and calibrated upon arrival in the Maldives. The company stated that its billing processes operate under the strict standards mandated by the Utility Regulatory Authority. While the system is rigorous, Fenaka remains committed to investigating individual complaints where meter reading errors are suspected. As the Maldives continues to experience peak consumption periods, Fenaka and relevant government agencies are urging residents to adopt energy-saving measures. Reducing non-essential power use is recommended to mitigate the financial impact of high costs during the hottest months of the year.