The Electricity Rate Stabilization Law has not only implied a reduction in rates in communities with coal plants in Chile, but has also established the creation of an electricity subsidy for more than 1,000,000 vulnerable households. This subsidy will cover the cost of a basic electricity basket through a direct discount on customers’ bills, as reported by the Ministry of Energy.
Who can apply for the subsidy to the light? The application will be open to those people who are part of the most vulnerable 40%, according to the Social Registry of Households. The Minister of Energy, Diego Pardow, has announced that beneficiaries will be able to obtain discounts ranging from 15% to 30% on their electricity bills.
The application will be made every six months through an online platform and through in-person channels. Despite the availability of subsidythe platform to apply is not yet ready, since the process will begin during the second half of the year.
However, it is expected that the process for subsidy be simple and accessible to all beneficiaries, whether through electronic or in-person means. It is expected that the application process will open in the coming months, so it is recommended to pay attention to official communications in this regard.
In addition to the electricity subsidy, six specific communities will benefit from discounts on electricity bills. These communes include Mejillones, Tocopilla, Huasco, Puchuncaví, Quintero and Coronel. This measure is based on the Law of Stabilization of Rates Electrical, which territorially recognizes the areas located in coal-fired thermoelectric complexes. This recognition seeks to alleviate the financial burden of households in these communities affected by the presence of coal plants.
