Change in electricity price from November 9, 2023 - Ensure compliance with regulations

Implementing the direction of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Vietnam Electricity Group issued Decision No. 1416/QD-EVN dated November 8, 2023 on adjusting the average retail electricity price, accordingly the average retail electricity price is 2,006.79 VND/kWh (excluding value added tax) from November 9, 2023. This adjustment is equivalent to an increase of 4.5% compared to the current average retail electricity price. To clarify the change in retail electricity price from November 9, 2023, Thai Binh Newspaper had an interview with Mr. Pham Ngoc Hao, Deputy Director of Thai Binh Electricity Company.

Workers of Thai Binh Electricity Company check the operation of the 110kV transformer station to ensure stable and safe power supply.

Reporter: Could you please tell us what solutions Thai Binh Electricity Company has focused on to ensure the implementation of changes in retail electricity prices in accordance with regulations?

Mr. Pham Ngoc Hao, Deputy Director of Thai Binh Electricity Company: On November 8, 2023, the Ministry of Industry and Trade issued Decision No. 2941/QD-BCT dated November 8, 2023 regulating electricity prices, including promulgating retail electricity prices for groups of electricity customers and retail electricity prices for electricity retailers. To minimize the impact on the economy and people's lives, implementing the direction of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Vietnam Electricity Group issued Decision No. 1416/QD-EVN dated November 8, 2023 on adjusting the average retail electricity price, accordingly, the average retail electricity price is VND 2,006.79/kWh (excluding value added tax) from November 9, 2023. This adjustment is equivalent to an increase of 4.5% compared to the current average retail electricity price. Up to now, the total number of customers managing electricity sales as of October 31, 2023 in the province is 738,895 customers, of which, customers using electricity for daily life are 654,862 customers; 84,033 customers using electricity for non-daily life.

To ensure the adjustment of electricity prices in accordance with regulations, on November 9, 2023, Thai Binh Electricity Company will finalize the price exchange index for 100% of customers using electricity for non-domestic purposes. Accordingly, the calculation of electricity bills for customers using electricity for non-domestic purposes will be based on the actual meter index results, the electricity output from the final index on November 9, 2023 and before will be calculated according to the old electricity price and from November 9, 2023 to the date of recording the index periodically from November 2023 will be calculated according to the new electricity price. For residential customers, the calculation of electricity bills uses the interpolation method according to the regulations of the Ministry of Industry and Trade. In addition to finalizing meter readings, the Company has carried out propaganda to customers in many forms such as: The Company publicly posts the new retail electricity price list at the Company's customer transaction locations, district and city power companies and on the company's website. At the same time, from November 9, 2023, the unit has proactively coordinated to widely propagate on media such as: Thai Binh Newspaper; Provincial Radio and Television Station; Radio stations of districts and cities about adjusting electricity prices, sending messages via Zalo, SMS, gmail with final meter readings to change prices for customers for non-residential purposes. Along with that, the Company organizes training for cashiers on methods of calculating and displaying price changes on electricity bills to explain to customers. With the Company's proactive solutions, up to now, in the province, there have been no cases of customers questioning about electricity output, incorrect or incorrect meter readings.

Reporter: Along with the change in electricity prices, there is also a change in the meter reading date to the end of the month. So how has Thai Binh Electricity Company implemented it so far, sir?

Mr. Pham Ngoc Hao, Deputy Director of Thai Binh Electricity Company: In order to improve service quality, efficiency, transparency, and ease of monitoring in the management of electricity metering activities, closing indexes, and making electricity bills for both electricity sellers and electricity buyers, Thai Binh Electricity Company is implementing a roadmap to change the meter reading date to the end of the month. Changing the meter reading date to the end of the month ensures harmonious benefits for both electricity sellers and electricity buyers, specifically to support customers to conveniently monitor monthly electricity consumption, take the initiative in paying electricity bills, as well as facilitate customers who are businesses to comply with monthly and yearly accounting regulations. This work also helps the electricity industry to increasingly improve the quality of customer service, and to properly and fully account for electricity revenue generated each month. Comply with and meet the requirements and regulations on tax payment obligations to the State, fully reflecting the revenue in the fiscal year in accordance with the costs incurred in the accounting year. For customers purchasing electricity for domestic purposes, the step-by-step electricity rate is calculated to increase according to the actual number of days of electricity use, specifically, the amount of electricity consumed on additional days due to changes in the meter reading date is still calculated according to the step corresponding to the number of additional days, so it does not affect the interests of customers. The change in the meter reading date at the end of the month is implemented by Thai Binh Electricity Company according to the roadmap, accordingly, the number of customers changing the meter reading date in 2023 is 736,967 customers. Of which, in October 2023, the reading date was changed for 62,354 customers; in November 2023, the reading date will be changed for: 488,375 customers; December 2023, the index recording date will be changed for 186,238 customers. Customers can contact 19006769 for answers or visit https://www.evn.com.vn/c3/calc/Cong-cu-tinh-hoa-don-tien-dien-9-172.aspx;

Tien Hai Electricity workers propagate to customers about changes in current electricity prices.

Reporter: Will this adjustment in retail electricity prices have much impact on poor households and social policy families, sir?

Mr. Pham Ngoc Hao, Deputy Director of Thai Binh Electricity Company: Up to now, the total number of poor households and policy households in the province receiving monthly electricity support is 27,829 households, of which 14,022 are poor households; 13,807 policy households. Basically, the adjustment of electricity prices this time has affected poor households and social policy households to a negligible extent. Poor households and social policy households continue to receive support according to the provisions of Decision No. 28/2014/QD-TTg dated April 7, 2014 of the Prime Minister. In particular, poor households are supported with a monthly support level equivalent to the amount of electricity used by 30 kWh/household/month. Policy households with the amount of electricity used not exceeding 50 kWh/month are supported with a monthly support level equivalent to the amount of electricity used by 30 kWh/household/month.

Reporter: Thank you.

Manh Thang

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