Get ready to pay more for your electricity as the fuel surcharge rates increase from next week.

The Commerce Commission announced yesterday that they have granted the Fiji Electricity Authority (FEA) an increase in fuel surcharge rate from $2.83 per unit to $5.53 per unit effective from next Thursday.

Commission chairman Charles Sweeney said that the FEA had applied for an increase in fuel surcharge on May 26th. He added that their decision is based on the escalating cost of fuel worldwide and its unavoidable impact on FEA's financial position.

The Commission has urged businesses and households to minimize the use of electrical appliances and machinery.

Sweeney also said that the Commission is aware that the cost of electricity is a cost borne by every business and individual in the country and it needs to be kept to an absolute minimum.