Households in the country that exceed their individual electricity consumption target by more than 10% will face an additional surcharge for the excess energy, according to the new energy efficiency program that is now in operation.
The Energy and Gas Regulation Commission (Creg) has indicated that the surcharge applies when consumption exceeds the allowable limit for each household. “If consumption exceeds the individual target by more than 10%, an additional charge will be generated on the energy that exceeds that limit,” warns Creg.
Among the practices that increase the bill, Enel Colombia highlights leaving the refrigerator door open, keeping chargers plugged in, taking long showers with electric heaters, and using the washing machine for small loads. They recommend setting the refrigerator to a temperature between 3 °C and 5 °C, checking the condition of the seals, and leaving space around it for adequate ventilation.
Enel Colombia also advises turning off unnecessary lights and taking advantage of natural light during the day. Additionally, they suggest disconnecting devices that remain plugged in when not in use, as chargers, televisions, computers, and consoles can still consume electricity in standby mode. Using a power strip with a switch can make it easier to disconnect several devices at once.
To reduce hot water consumption in showers and heaters, it is recommended to limit the time spent under water. In the kitchen, grouping preparations, using lids on pots, and taking advantage of residual heat from the stove can help limit repeated energy use; for the washing machine, it is suggested to fill a full load and choose the ECO mode if available.
It is also recommended to reduce screen brightness, activate power-saving modes, and schedule automatic shutdowns for computers, televisions, and consoles. The Bogotá Mayor’s Office summarized that the priority actions are to turn off lights, disconnect unused devices, utilize natural light, reduce the use of high-consumption appliances, and manage water responsibly.
The individual target of the plan will be set based on the history of the last 12 months and will have a minimum for subsidized strata. Since September 1, the government implemented a temporary incentive program to encourage efficient use of electric energy, in response to the 2026-2027 El Niño phenomenon and the possible reduction of water resources. This initiative, regulated by the Energy and Gas Regulation Commission, is aimed at regulated users, including households, businesses, and industries that receive monthly or bimonthly billing, excluding customers from the unregulated market.
The initial phase of the program will be informative, and charges will not be enforceable to help users understand their targets and how the scheme works. Later, the bill will reflect the individual target, based on the average daily consumption of the last 12 months, and the level of compliance. If consumption exceeds the target by more than 10%, a surcharge will apply; if it is below 90%, an economic benefit will be granted. The amount of the benefit will be determined based on the saved amount and the funds collected from the surcharges on those who exceed their targets, which will be settled every six months.
Individual targets will be established at the start of the program and will remain in effect throughout its duration; exceptions will apply to those without sufficient history or subsidized users, who will maintain at least the basic consumption necessary for subsistence. Surcharges are computed only on the excess over 110% of the target and vary according to the type of user: 1.30 for strata one to three, 1.50 for strata four to six, and 1.70 for businesses and industries. Additionally, there is a cap on these surcharges, which must not exceed the incremental operational cost of rationing determined by the Upme. Enel Colombia will bear the operational cost of the scheme, without contributions from the State.
Source: www.infobae.com
