The subsidy will last for 12 months, effective as of April 2008 until March 2009, delivered in a monthly basis through the electricity bill, with a maximum subsidized amount of MOP150.00.

Subsidies are non-refundable and non-transferable. In March 2009, if there is any balance carried forward, it can continue to be used within two years. Up till March 2011, if there is still " Accumulated Unused Government Subsidy ", the balance will be discarded.

Below is the FAQ for “Government Subsidy” Scheme:

1. Who will benefit from the “Government Subsidy” scheme?
Ans: All residential contracts will be entitled for the “Government Subsidy” scheme.

2. Could you please explain to me the details of the “Government Subsidy” scheme?

Ans: The government subsidy will be delivered in a monthly basis for a total of 12 months (April-2008 to Mar-2009 billing months) through the electricity bill with maximum subsidized amount of MOP150.00 per month. The subsidies are used for covering the “Current Period Amount” (subscribed demand, consumption, tariff clause adjustment & government tax).

This monthly subsidy can be accumulated. If the “Current Period Amount” during a particular month does not reach MOP 150.00, the surplus can be carried forward.

3. What items will be shown on the bill to indicate those subsidies?

Ans: For this scheme, 4 new items will be shown on the bill:

a. “Monthly Government Subsidy”- shows the monthly amount of Mop$150.00 between April-2008 and Mar-2009 billing months;

b. “Unused Government Subsidy Transfer”- shows the monthly unused amount that can be accumulated/transferred;

c. “Accumulated Unused Government Subsidy”- shows the total accumulated amount of unused subsidy.

d. “Unused Government Subsidy Deduction”- shows the amount (with max. $150/month) deducted from the residual amount in the accumulator to offset the “Current Period Amount” from Apr-2009 to Mar-2011 billing month;

4. How long will the “Government Subsidy” scheme last for?

Ans: The subsidizing period is for 12 months (Apr-2008 ~ Mar 2009 billing month). After the subsidizing period, the accumulated amount coverage period starts which will last for 2 years (Apr-2009~Mar-2011). By the end of “Mar-2011 billing month”, all the residual amount in the “Accumulated Unused Subsidy” will be discarded (or cancelled).

5. If the “Current Period Amount” does not exceed the amount of Mop$150.00, can it be accumulated?

Ans: Yes, this monthly subsidy could be accumulated. If the “Current Period Amount” during a particular month does not reach MOP 150.00, the surplus could be carried forward.

6. Can I refund the accumulated amount?

Ans: The accumulated amount is non-refundable and non-transferable. It could only be used to cover the “Current Period Amount” until the residual amount being totally consumed within the defined period (on/before Mar-2011 billing month).

7. Does CEM earn the residual amount that are left behind after Mar-2011 billing month?

Ans. No, CEM does not. The entire residual amount will be reported back to government.

8. If my contract involves other discount programs (like Senior Citizens Program, Tariff A2 & Tariff A4), will the discount program be suspended?

Ans: All other discount programs will continue as long as the contract satisfies the criteria of the discount programs. For example, the consumption must be maintained as equal to or lesser than 120kWh so as to maintain the Tariff of A4.

9. Do I need to settle the bill immediately if the total bill amount is Mop$50.00 or below Mop$50.00 after deduction of the subsidy?

Ans: No need. You can choose to settle bills with total amount equal to or less than Mop$50 together with next bill.
In addition, no disconnection or overdue penalty will be incurred.

10. Why I still need to settle the bill even my bill is lesser than the $150 subsidy granted?

Ans: The subsidy will only be used to settle “Current Period Amount”, all other billing items like reconnection fee and overdue penalty are excluded.

11. If I apply new supply (PNC) in the middle of the scheme period, can I obtain the subsidies?

Ans. Yes, you can obtain the subsidies starting from the applied month till the end of Mar-2009.

12. Why can’t I grant the one-month subsidy for the month (which is in the subsidizing period) that I applied new supply (PNC)?

Ans. This one-month subsidy will be given back to the contract right after Mar-2009 billing month.

13. If I applied termination/change name for the contract, can the residual amount be transferred to other contract(s) that is(are) under my name?

Ans: No, it cannot. The entire residual amount is non-refundable and non-transferable. Even there are residual amount at the time of termination or change name, it is not allowed to transfer to other contracts. It will only report back to government.

14. As residual amount is non-transferable, is it more beneficial to postpone the application for change name?

Ans. You cannot say so since the new customer can still be entitled to the subsidies starting from the effective month of change name application. Moreover, CEM do strongly recommend to customers to proceed change of contract name within a period of 15 days of any alternation to the property ownership. If the contract is still under previous contract holder’s name, he/she does reserve the right for meter removal at any time.