The number of Azorean families who benefit from social electricity tariffs grew by 528% since the end of 2012 until the end of April.
 
The data were revealed today by the Regional Secretariat for Tourism and Transport during an action for the promotion of social tariffs that was organised in conjunction with Lajes do Pico Town Hall and the Azores Electricity Company (EDA).
 
The number of beneficiaries grew from "486 families in the end of 2012 to 3,053 families on 30 April this year, representing an increase of 528% in number of beneficiaries," said Vítor Fraga.
 
The Regional Secretary recalled that "the Government of the Azores, together with the municipal councils, village councils and social solidarity institutions, has been developing a series of actions to promote adherence to social electricity tariffs and the support to electricity consumers."
 
According to Vítor Fraga, this effort "represented a significant increase in the number of families who now benefit from these social tariffs."
 
Vítor Fraga also announced that, from July, there will be a change in the social tariff system. According to him, there will be "a single tariff that will reduce the electricity bill by 30% for households with a contracted power of 6.9 kVA, while these changes represent an additional reduction of 7% in the electricity bill for households benefiting from social tariffs.”
 
Social tariffs are eligible for senior citizens receiving pension supplements, minimum wages, unemployment benefits, family allowances, disability pensions and old-age pensions. This measure is also open to all households whose annual income is below 5,808 Euros, plus 50% for each household member, up to a maximum of 10.