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This summer is hotter than usual and industrial production is also increasing, so electricity demand is expected to increase, so I am already worried about the electricity bill. In addition, KEPCO is starting to raise rates, and there is also a movement to apply a cost indexing system.



Reporter Seong-Hoon Lee reported.



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next month, 9.1 million households, who are not in the low-income bracket, such as those receiving livelihood protection, will have to pay an additional 2,000 won in electricity bills from next month.



This is because the discount applied to households using less than 200 kWh of electricity per month has been reduced from 4,000 won to 2,000 won.



In addition, the government has announced that it will implement a 'fuel cost indexing system' that reflects the fuel cost for electricity generation in the rate every three months from this year.



According to this system, electricity rates had to be raised in the second quarter, but it was put on hold due to concerns about the burden on low-income households.



However, if the average price of Dubai oil in March-May is $64 per barrel, which is 16% higher than the average of the previous three months, if electricity rates are not raised in the third quarter, KEPCO's loss is inevitable.



[Seung-Hoon Yoo/Professor, Department of Energy Policy, Seoul National University of Science and Technology: It is not only KEPCO that ends with a loss, but when KEPCO sees a loss, it becomes very difficult for power generation companies to suffer a loss. In the end, there may be some difficulties in power supply.]



However, it is uncertain whether the government will push ahead with the increase in consideration of the recent presidential election, which is nine months away, as inflationary pressure has increased recently and electricity rate hikes in the summer, when electricity consumption is high, are strongly opposed.



The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy told SBS, "We are well aware of the concerns about the fuel cost indexation system becoming unpopular." "There is a big difference in views between the relevant ministries, but we plan to decide after considering various factors."



Electricity rates for the third quarter will be released next Monday.