Nicolas Verstraete’s Post

Are your utility tariffs silently inflating your operational costs? 🤔💡 Many businesses unknowingly overpay due to complex utility tariffs. At National Utilities Refund, we've seen the profound impact of optimizing these tariffs - from recovering overcharges to reducing future expenses and enhancing sustainability. It's not just about savings; it's about paving the way for a greener, more sustainable business future. Let's talk about auditing your utilities for a brighter tomorrow. #UtilitySavings #SustainableBusiness #BusinessSavings #BusinessGrowth

Are your utility tariffs silently inflating your operational costs? 🤔💡 Many businesses unknowingly overpay due to complex utility tariffs. At National Utilities Refund, we've seen the profound impact of optimizing these tariffs - from recovering overcharges to reducing future expenses and enhancing sustainability. It's not just about savings; it's about paving the way for a greener, more sustainable business future. Let's talk about auditing your utilities for a brighter tomorrow. #UtilitySavings #SustainableBusiness #BusinessSavings #BusinessGrowth

"PH and our colleagues in the Madani government respect the result and decision of Sungai Bakap voters. We understand that the voters there have chosen to send us a very loud and clear message, particularly in the shape of the reduced turnout and the increased majority of our opponents. Although it is true the result has no bearing on the position of either the state or federal government, and turnout in by-elections usually tends to be lower, we are also aware that the outcome might be influenced by voter unhappiness at some of the Madani government’s recent policies, including the targeting of diesel subsidies... We understand that the diesel targeting issue was controversial with voters across the board. Certainly, we must continue to explain why this was necessary, while also correcting misunderstandings or downright falsehoods on certain issues like the MAHB privatisation. The Madani government believes the reforms it is undertaking are necessary for the country’s future survival. The blanket subsidy scheme for diesel, for instance, is clearly unsustainable and even the opposition has acknowledged this. The government spent RM14.3 billion on diesel subsidies alone in 2023 - and a lot of that has been proven, in the aftermath of the targeting, to have been leaked through smuggling or purchases by foreigners. We have introduced the Budi Madani scheme to continue to provide subsidies to eligible users, including those in crucial economic sectors. The ministries involved have shown themselves to be willing to be flexible to address problems with its execution. Continuing with the blanket diesel subsidies in the long term is simply not sustainable because it will burden future generations with crushing debt and defeat our energy transition pathway. Penang’s water supply was a major issue during the by-election campaign and again, the government has been working all out, since it took office, to address the issue. It has to be said, however, that maintaining the water infrastructure - which is also a key component of the supply issue - cannot be done with low tariffs. All state governments, including the PN-led ones, pushed us to allow the increase in water tariffs to address this issue. Initiatives like these may not be popular, but tackling them is what a responsible government does. Critics may claim the timing might not be right especially with the economy still recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic and the rakyat still anxious about the cost of living - but the fact is that the present is always the right time to do the right thing... I will also admit that the government needs to better communicate the reason why it is acting this way... We also know that the rakyat’s attention may often be occupied by the need to make ends meet and so we must redouble our efforts. We must not lose touch with the heartbeat of the rakyat."

Power tariffs for EV charging stations to be single part till FY26: Draft guidelines

Pressure mounts on Alweendo to stop power price hike: Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) vice president Jennifer van der Heever challenged energy minister Tom Alweendo to stop the Electricity Control Board’s (ECB) decision to increase the electricity tariff by 8%. Van der Heever questioned Alweendo on measures taken by the ECB to ensure public consultation and stakeholder engagement before deciding on the tariff increase. She questioned why the tariff increase relies on a study conducted in 2001. “Given the significant changes in the economic landscape over the past two decades, what steps are being taken to update the methodology and data used in determining electricity tariffs to reflect current economic realities?” she asked. She questioned what measures are being implemented to mitigate the effects of the tariff increase on low-income households and vulnerable communities. This comes after Windhoek residents launched an online petition calling for the board to reconsider its decision that Namibians should pay N$2,50 and N$3 per unit more for electricity. Tom Alweendo Jennifer van der Heever ECB spokesperson Ferdinand Molale on Monday said the board is aware of the petition. The ECB said it would communicate the outcome of the talks in due time. The petition calling for ministerial intervention has garnered over 4 300 signatures in four days. Katutura Residents Committee spokesperson Shaun Gariseb, who started the petition, yesterday said residents were not consulted adequately, and the tariff hikes would cause financial distress. “We are being told there were consultations with end users at different towns, but we are reliably informed there was no in-depth discussion of the methodology in arriving at the tariffs,” he said. Gariseb questioned the tariffs being calculated as per the recommendations of the ‘National Tariff Study of 2001’. “This is not in the interest of the public, nor the protection of customers to determine tariffs based on a national tariff study conducted 20 years ago. Surely the cost of living due to inflation and other factors have tremendously increased,” Gariseb said. PDM spokesperson Hidipo Hamata on Sunday said the additional costs would be catastrophic for households already on the brink of economic collapse. Omu Kakujaha-Matundu “With an 8% increase, families would find it even harder to manage their daily expenses, especially following recent hikes in lending rates by the Bank of Namibia. “It is inconceivable that the government allows such increases amid widespread financial distress,” he said. “The government should consider subsidising electricity for low-income households,” Hamata said. This subsidy, he said, could be funded by reallocating resources from less critical areas, or through international aid and investment in renewable energy projects. ‘UNDERSTANDABLE’ Meanwhile, economist Omu…

Are your utility tariffs silently inflating your operational costs? 🤔💡 Many businesses unknowingly overpay due to complex utility tariffs. At National Utilities Refund, we've seen the profound impact of optimizing these tariffs - from recovering overcharges to reducing future expenses and enhancing sustainability. It's not just about savings; it's about paving the way for a greener, more sustainable business future. Let's talk about auditing your utilities for a brighter tomorrow. #UtilitySavings #SustainableBusiness #BusinessSavings #BusinessGrowth

Concerns have been raised in Australia about moves by the industry and regulators to shift people onto complex power usage tariffs, warning they will punish vulnerable households and fuel inequality. These concerns caution that such measures may disproportionately penalise vulnerable households and exacerbate inequality. Regulators advocate for these "cost-reflective" tariffs, believing they will enhance grid efficiency by imposing premiums during peak times. However, these changes entail a genuine risk of worsening energy inequality. They also divert the conversation away from other solutions, such as utilities identifying and harnessing untapped capacity to ensure affordability where it's most needed.

Are your utility tariffs silently inflating your operational costs? 🤔💡 Many businesses unknowingly overpay due to complex utility tariffs. At National Utilities Refund, we've seen the profound impact of optimizing these tariffs - from recovering overcharges to reducing future expenses and enhancing sustainability. It's not just about savings; it's about paving the way for a greener, more sustainable business future. Let's talk about auditing your utilities for a brighter tomorrow. #UtilitySavings #SustainableBusiness #BusinessSavings #BusinessGrowth

Are your utility tariffs silently inflating your operational costs? 🤔💡 Many businesses unknowingly overpay due to complex utility tariffs. At National Utilities Refund, we've seen the profound impact of optimizing these tariffs - from recovering overcharges to reducing future expenses and enhancing sustainability. It's not just about savings; it's about paving the way for a greener, more sustainable business future. Let's talk about auditing your utilities for a brighter tomorrow. #UtilitySavings #SustainableBusiness #BusinessSavings #BusinessGrowth

Are your utility tariffs silently inflating your operational costs? 🤔💡 Many businesses unknowingly overpay due to complex utility tariffs. At National Utilities Refund, we've seen the profound impact of optimizing these tariffs - from recovering overcharges to reducing future expenses and enhancing sustainability. It's not just about savings; it's about paving the way for a greener, more sustainable business future. Let's talk about auditing your utilities for a brighter tomorrow. #UtilitySavings #SustainableBusiness #BusinessSavings #BusinessGrowth