KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 25 (Bernama) -- The electricity tariff increase may be announced next month at the earliest; Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik said Saturday.

He said studies conducted by Tenaga Nasional Bhd to justify the increase were ready.

"I only need to table the papers to the cabinet for approval," he told reporters after chairing the Gerakan central committee meeting.

Dr Lim, who is also Gerakan president, however said the hike would not affect consumers using less than 100 kilowatt hour per month.

"I can give my commitment. Those using below 100 kilowatt hour per month will face no increase at all. The rest, we will stagger up, the more you use, the more you pay," he said, hinting that the tariff hike was imminent, without giving details on the new tariff structure.

Asked on the proposed percentage increase, Dr Lim said: "No inspiration yet, we will tell you when the time comes".

TNB President and Chief Executive Officer Datuk Che Khalib Mohamed Noh said recently the public utility company had applied to the government to raise power tariffs by 10 per cent from this year.

He was reported to have said with the power consumption by the low-and medium-income groups averaging RM15 and RM70 respectively a month, an increase of 10 per cent would only cause a rise of between RM2 and RM7, which was still far cheaper than electricity tariffs in other countries in the region.

TNB is currently facing a widening debt of more than RM30 billion. The utility company is also facing pressure from rising operational costs due to spiralling fuel prices.