THE HEAD of the Consumers’ Union, Loucas Aristodemou, yesterday blasted local petrol stations for increasing fuel prices when the international price of oil has gone down.Commenting on market prices ahead of Easter, Aristodemou said the international price of petrol had reduced from $126 to $123 a barrel almost a week ago. This, he said, in combination with the increase in the euro’s purchasing power against the dollar, makes it feasible for Cyprus to see a reduction in fuel prices.“I am convinced that if this reduction took place a week ago, the companies in Cyprus must definitely have received loads with the new prices,” said Aristodemou.“But instead of seeing a reduction, some companies have already started increasing the price of fuel,” he added... 7 comments

THE ELECTRICITY Authority of Cyprus (EAC) said yesterday it would allow those with unpaid bills to join its instalment scheme, which spreads out the cost over a 12-month period. “To help household consumers who are facing difficulties pay their bills, the EAC decided that from now own, consumers with unpaid bills can be included in the current monthly instalment scheme,” the authority announced.Under the scheme, consumers can pay a fixed amount every month to be calculated based on their estimated usage. At the end of the 12-month period, the amount is then adjusted either up or down, depending on actual consumption throughout the period... 5 comments

THOSE looking to lower their energy and water consumption should pay a visit to the state fair between March 16 and 18, stopping by stands five and six.SAVENERGY 2012 will provide information to businesses and home owners on products and services, including renewable energy systems, and energy-saving services for businesses, hotels or homes.ENVIROTEC 2012 will provide information on schemes to save water, improve its quality and use it efficiently. ... 8 comments

AS FUEL prices reach unprecedented levels with more to come, some consumers yesterday said they didn’t see any other option than to pay up while others seemed to be cutting back. At a petrol station on Byron Avenue in Nicosia, 50-year-old Ioannis Frageskides said: “I pay €20 a day on fuel but I have two children to drive everywhere: school, private lessons… I don’t exactly have a choice... 9 comments

MORE bad news for consumers as fuel prices rose this week to record levels with more hikes coming as a VAT increase kicks in on March 1.Chairman of the petrol station owners’ association said the current price is the highest he can remember petrol ever costing in Cyprus. “The new rises are due to external factors. Consumers cannot take the continuous fuel hikes any more. They are the highest pump prices ever recorded in Cyprus. The price of fuel will rise even more in the next months; they have already gone up three times the last month,” said  Stefanos Stefanou, chairman of the petrol station owners’ association... 14 comments