The Association of Free Zone Industries of Santiago is urging the Distribuidora de Electricidad del Norte, Edenorte, to correct what they consider irregularities in the billing. The Santiago companies say that the decline in power consumption as a result of a drop in production following a slowdown in their number of orders has not shown up in their power bills that continue to increase. The Santiago businessmen dispute other charges being made by Edenorte, the variations in billing days, and delays in the company delivering the bills. Angel Rosario Viñas, president of the Association said that from September 2000 to present their billings have been constantly increasing, even during the times when power consumption has declined. He said that the fact that they pay the highest industrial cost per kilowatt/hour in the region affects their competitiveness. Rosario Vinas alerted that if the situation continues, the association members would abstain from paying their bills. He said they are considering alternatives to disconnect from the power distributor. An Edenorte spokesman said it has not received a written notification of problems from the Association.
