TNB says it will bear cost impact of expanded fuel surcharge exemption as more households qualify

Tenaga Nasional Bhd said today it will absorb the cost impact of the expanded electricity tariff fuel‑surcharge exemption until the end of the year. — Picture by Shafwan Zaidon

By Malay Mail

First Published: Friday, 18 Sep 2026 5:13 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 18 — Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) said today it will absorb the cost impact of the expanded electricity tariff fuel‑surcharge exemption until the end of the year.

The Edge reported that the exemption covers the automatic fuel adjustment, the RM10 monthly retail charge and sales‑and‑services tax, with estimated savings of RM150 million for eligible households.

TNB said more households have been consuming higher amounts of electricity in recent months.

The government announced yesterday that households using up to 800 kilowatt‑hours a month will now be exempt from the surcharge, compared with the previous 600 kilowatt‑hour threshold.

The Energy Commission had warned in April that rising coal and natural‑gas prices following the Middle East conflict would trigger the surcharge.

The proportion of households paying the three additional billing components rose to 20 per cent in July from 13 per cent in January under the earlier threshold.

TNB said warmer weather, work‑from‑home arrangements linked to the Iran oil price shock and increased electricity use during the 2026 World Cup contributed to higher consumption.

The utility said raising the threshold will protect 90 per cent of residential customers from the extra charges.

A consumer using 700 kilowatt‑hours a month will pay RM40 less under the latest measure.