KUALA LUMPUR: The contribution arrears owed to the Electricity Supplies Industry Trust Account (AAIBE) by Independent Power Producers (IPPs) had increased to RM197.9 million, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Energy, Science, Technology, Environment, and Climate Change Minister Yeo Bee Yin said the arrears were for the period between 2008 and 2018.
She said no IPPs would be spared from making payment of the outstanding contribution to AAIBE.
"To ensure the IPPs meet the licensing requirement and contribute to the AAIBE and Sabah AAIBE, the ministry through the Energy Commission has taken action to ensure that contributions for the financial year ending 2018 would be collected before Dec 31.
"The commission is also collecting arrears from 2008 to 2018.
"Any IPP that was unable to pay the amount one-off, negotiations are underway to allow the payment to be made via instalments, hence to clear the existing arrears," she said in her reply during Ministers' Question Time (MQT).
Yeo was replying to a question by Chan Foong Hin (PH-Kota Kinabalu), who asked on the status of AAIBE and how the money raised is used to further develop electricity industry especially in renewable energy.
The minister said to date, they managed to secure IPPs commitment to pay RM100.7 million arrears for AAIBE and RM4.8 million for Sabah AAIBE in instalments before Dec 31 next year.
On the use of AAIBE fund, Yeo said it was subjected to 'Surat Ikatan Amanah', which involves research and development as well as training and education.
"The use of these funds were based on programmes that promote the use of electricity efficiency, development and promotion of the electricity supply industry as well as to manage the electricity tariff impact," she said.