The Ministry of Industry and Trade issued the latest Circular regulating the implementation of electricity prices.

The Circular has added separate regulations on retail electricity prices for electric vehicle charging. (Photo: Cong Luat/VNA)

The Minister of Industry and Trade has just issued Circular No. 60/2025/TT-BCT detailing the implementation of electricity prices. Accordingly, the general principle is that electricity prices must be applied to the right subjects and for the right purposes.

The electricity buyer is responsible for truthfully declaring the purpose of use. In case of any change, the seller must be notified at least 15 days in advance. If the wrong purpose is applied, causing damage, both parties are responsible for collecting or refunding the difference within a maximum period of 12 months, and have the right to request compensation according to the law and the contract.

The Circular also details how to handle cases where a point of electricity use serves multiple purposes, how to calculate electricity output when prices change, and how to close meter readings when electricity prices are adjusted. Electricity prices are determined according to three voltage levels: high voltage, medium voltage, and low voltage; the ultra-high voltage level is applied with the price of 220 kV level.

Regarding the time-of-use electricity price, the Circular clearly defines peak, normal and off-peak hours. Production and business units with specialized transformers of 25 kVA or more or electricity output of 2,000 kWh/month or more are required to apply the three-price method. In case of refusal to install a three-price meter, after two notifications, customers may be subject to peak hour prices for the entire consumption output.

For household electricity, the Circular stipulates that each household using electricity at one point is subject to one standard. In case many households share a meter, the standard is multiplied by the number of households.

Collective housing, dormitories, housing for workers, students, and tenants are calculated based on the number of people, with four people being counted as one household. The Circular also binds the responsibility of landlords, not to collect electricity bills from tenants that exceed the bill issued by the electricity unit.

In addition, in cases of new power supply, change of contract subject, change of meter reading date, or meter reading not coinciding with price adjustment date, specific calculation methods are prescribed to ensure the rights of electricity users.

For rural areas, the selling price of electricity at the general meter is calculated by multiplying the rate by the number of households using electricity in the month. If the retailer fails to provide complete information on output and number of households on time, the wholesaler has the right to apply the higher price to the entire output.

In collective housing areas, residential areas, commercial-service-residential complexes, the separation of domestic electricity output and business electricity output is required to be strictly implemented. In case of failure to separate, the entire output may be subject to electricity prices for other purposes.

For industrial zones and industrial clusters, the electricity price for retailers is applied according to the electricity purchase point at the voltage level of 110 kV, medium voltage or low voltage. If in the industrial zone there are customers using electricity for non-production purposes, the retailer must coordinate to install separate meters to accurately determine the output of each type.

Particularly for markets, the Circular stipulates that electricity retailers at markets do not apply prices according to voltage levels and do not apply the three-price system according to time of use during the day.

A notable point is that the Circular has added separate regulations for the retail price of electricity for charging electric vehicles. Accordingly, stations, charging posts, and electric vehicle battery exchange cabinets for business purposes must install separate meters and apply prices according to the charging purpose. If charging electric vehicles is in a household electricity contract, the household electricity price will still apply.

Regarding implementation, the Electricity Department is responsible for submitting to the Ministry of Industry and Trade for issuance of specific decisions on electricity prices, peak and off-peak hours, and instructions on removing obstacles. The Department of Industry and Trade of provinces and cities is responsible for inspecting and supervising the implementation of electricity prices in the area. Vietnam Electricity Group is responsible for reporting the electricity output structure of each customer group and establishing the electricity price deduction level for retail units.

Regarding the effective date, the Circular stipulates transitional provisions, continuing to apply some contents of Circular No. 16/2014/TT-BCT until the next adjustment of the average retail electricity price./.

According to Vietnam+

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/bo-cong-thuong-ban-hanh-thong-tu-moi-nhat-quy-dinh-thuc-hien-gia-ban-dien-271238.htm