New power rates are live. Subsidies keep most household bills flat through December

ASEP’s new distribution and commercialization rate schedules (pliegos) took effect on 1 September 2026 and run through 31 August 2030. The state cushions household bills through the FET (for customers using ≤300 kWh) and the FTO (covering much of Chiriquí and Bocas del Toro).

ASEP says about 83% of customers face no adjustment-driven hike from September through December 2026. About 17% are covered by Cabinet Resolution 110-26’s temporary extra FET of roughly B/.32 million, applied as distributor bill credits through 31 December 2026. Your invoice still shows the new rates; relief appears as a State credit line — not a cancellation of the new pliegos.

ASEP is auditing distributors. Users can complain to ASEP or use the BTS bill verifier.

What it means for daily life: Electricity is a core rent and home-office cost. Check whether you qualify for FET or FTO, and look for the temporary Sep–Dec credit line so a higher sticker rate does not surprise you — or open the door to billing scams.

Sources

• ASEP — pliegos and billing oversight
• ASEP — Cabinet extra FET contributions

The extra FET is temporary through 31 Dec 2026 — not a permanent freeze. Pliegos run to 2030. FET is capped at ≤300 kWh. Do not confuse FET with FTO.