BTP to Oversee GEBE Tariff Decisions
Economic Affairs Minister Grisha Heyliger-Marten is moving to place stronger legal oversight over NV GEBE, following public concern over the company’s recent fuel clause increase.
The Minister says GEBE’s fuel clause increase of about 10 cents already appeared on electricity bills for the April consumption period, even though the company had publicly stated that the increase would take effect in May. Heyliger-Marten called the move unacceptable, misleading, and a breach of public trust, saying consumers are already under serious financial pressure.
To address the issue, the Minister has finalized a joint Ministerial Decree that will designate the Bureau of Telecommunication and Post, or BTP, as the legally mandated supervisor of GEBE under the Electricity Concession Ordinance. The decree has already been signed by the TEATT Minister and sent to the VROMI Minister for co-signature. Once published, it will take immediate effect.
According to the Minister, this activates a supervisory mechanism that existed in law but was never implemented.
Once in force, BTP will be empowered to request and verify GEBE’s financial and operational data, review tariff structures, examine fuel clause calculations, conduct inspections and audits, monitor compliance with concession obligations, and oversee renewable energy obligations.
The Minister says BTP has already been instructed to investigate the basis, timing, and legality of the recent fuel clause increase once the decree takes effect.
She also noted that GEBE has not submitted a complete tariff structure proposal, despite repeated Government requests. As a result, BTP will begin independently reviewing and reconstructing the tariff methodology.
Heyliger-Marten says the goal is to protect consumers and ensure that no fuel clause or tariff adjustment is implemented again without transparency, proper justification, and verified information.