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Published on February 15, 2008

 One was the formation of the energy regulatory body, which took place days before the Surayud government left office.

To the former minister, the so-called regulator helped the ministry win the case against consumer groups over the reversal of PTT's status from a quasi-public agency to a state enterprise.

Piyasvasti has reason to be pleased with PTT's victory. Consumers also had a reason to feel good about the regulatory body. The formation of the regulator marks the first time that the public can voice their opinions over future electricity prices.

At a meeting yesterday, the regulator cited Article 66 of the Energy Business Act BE 2550. The article requires service operators to quote the proposed price for the regulatory body's approval, and the approval process must be transparent and take into account different opinions from stakeholders.

The regulator considered that the fuel tariff (FT) is a service stipulated by the law and it is deemed responsible to follow the legal process in determining the FT in a transparent way.

Therefore, rather than simply approving a hike in electricity bills for the February-May round by 2.75 satang per unit as proposed by an energy subcommittee, the regulator will wait for public opinions and reconvene on February 20.

From today for five days, all consumers can file their comments to www.eppo.go.th. Then the regulator will convene on the proposed hike in the FT for the next four months. For the FT review in the future rounds, comments will be welcomed in a new and proper channel.

But as the process involves all stakeholders including the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, which is responsible for the supply, consumers should not have too much hope that they would win the regulator's favour.

Asked yesterday was the question: who would want an increase in electricity prices? And how will the regulator handle the public comments which will mostly come from those who oppose an increase?

A member of the regulatory body answered that a public hearing was simply a process to ensure transparency, but there is a clear formula in fixing the FT for any round.

Hmm, to consumers who have had to shoulder electricity bills without complaints, just to have a channel to express their feelings on the current power prices is a step forward.

achara_d@nationgroup.com

The Nation