The Tonga Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI) is pleased that electricity prices have come down.

"TCCI has been lobbying on this issue since it was raised by respondents to our 2008 Members Survey. We have been calling for a decrease in price and for greater accountability in setting that price," said Mr Paula Taumoepeau, President of TCCI.

The 29.91% decrease announced on Monday February 2 by Tonga Power lowers the price to 72.76 seniti per kWh on Tongatapu. TCCI's own investigations had concluded that a price of 62.92 seniti per kWh would have been set... under... the... electricity-pricing formula that was in place for Shoreline Power. This included a non-fuel component of 26.6 seniti which has now been reviewed by the Electricity Commission.

"TCCI sees this decrease as a positive step in the right direction by Tonga Power and we are hopeful that a further price reduction will occur in April 2009," Mr Taumoepeau said.

"Electricity prices have huge flow-on effects for the cost of doing business in Tonga. This decrease has been long awaited."

TCCI will continue to engage on this issue to ensure that electricity prices, and the process that sets electricity prices is fair, transparent and open. - Media release from Catherine Harris, Communications Officer. February 2, 2009.