Recently, EVN has changed the time for meter reading, resulting in the billing period being calculated for two months. Many people wonder if apart from having to pay a much higher amount, will the accumulation of two months cause customers to incur extra charges due to the tiered electricity pricing?
Ms. Trang Phuong Linh (Dong Da, Hanoi) asked, “The electricity price is calculated based on different tiers, the more you use, the more you have to pay. So will EVN’s accumulation of two months cause people to suffer because they have more electricity than usual?”,
The electricity industry claims that customers will not suffer when paying accumulated bills for two months. (Illustration photo: EVNHANOI).
In response to this issue, Ms. To Lan Phuong – Head of Business Department of EVNHANOI said that changing the schedule of meter reading as well as the new billing method will not cause people to suffer.
Currently, the new household electricity price for the first tier for kWh 0-50 is 1,806 VND/kWh (the old price is 1,728 VND/kWh). The second tier for kWh 51-100 is 1,866 VND/kWh (the old price is 1,786 VND/kWh). The third tier for kWh 101-200 is 2,167 VND/kWh (the old price is 2,074 VND/kWh).
The fourth tier for kWh 201-300 is 2,729 VND/kWh (the old price is 2,612 VND/kWh). The fifth tier for kWh 301-400 is 3,050 VND/kWh (the old price is 2,919 VND/kWh). The sixth tier for kWh 401 and above is 3,151 VND/kWh (the old price is 3,015 VND/kWh).
In this billing period, instead of customers having to pay for 30 days, the actual number of days of electricity usage can range from 41 to 58 days. The rights of customers are guaranteed based on the adjustment of the actual number of days of electricity usage. EVNHANOI also increases the number of kWh to enjoy the first tier electricity price, the second tier will be extended from 50 kWh (according to regulations) to 92 kWh; the third tier, the fourth tier will be extended from 100 units to 184 units.
“Changing the schedule of meter reading may result in high electricity bills, but the rights of over 2.8 million customers using electricity in the capital city are guaranteed, as the household electricity usage for each tier is adjusted according to the actual number of days of the billing period. The following months will return to normal,” said Ms. Lan.
Similarly, Mr. Le Anh Duong – Deputy General Director of Hanoi Power Company (EVNHANOI) further analyzed: “The maximum figures of 92 kWh and 184 kWh that we have given are not fixed. Depending on the increased number of days of electricity consumption of each household, there will be specific and appropriate calculation methods. If the number of days of electricity consumption increases less, it means that the calculated amount based on the tiered price will decrease accordingly (less than 92 kWh for the first and second tiers and less than 184 kWh for the third and fourth tiers),” Mr. Duong said.
For example, in the specific case of a customer in the area where the meter is read on the 3rd of each month, starting from February 2024, the meter reading schedule is changed to the end of the month, and the billing period will be calculated as follows:
The power company provides an example of how to calculate the electricity bill for a household with 786 kWh of electricity consumption, the actual number of days of usage is 57 days. (Photo: EVN Hanoi).
Specifically, the first tier is extended from 50 kWh (according to regulations) to 92 kWh; the third tier, the fourth tier is extended from 100 kWh to 184 kWh. The reason for this number is that the normal billing period is 31 days, the electricity billing amount for the first tier is 50 kWh, and now the billing period extends to 57 days (increasing by 1.84 times), the unit for calculating the first-tier electricity fee also increases by 1.84 times, becoming 92 kWh. The accumulated tiers also increase accordingly.
Mr. Nguyen Dinh Thang, Deputy Director of Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade, said that the Department has issued a directive, unified throughout the city on changing the meter reading schedule of EVNHANOI because this is a necessary task, ensuring consistency in management and minimizing mistakes in the meter reading and invoice settlement process as well as ensuring fairness for electricity customers (including households for residential and production purposes).
“The change in the meter reading schedule is also in line with the common direction from state management to businesses and residents. The unified meter reading date will ensure the rights of electricity customers, as well as facilitate the management, operation, and settlement of the electricity supplier and consumers,” said Mr. Thang.
“We have been looking forward to this task for a long time. However, due to technical infrastructure conditions, we could not implement it. Now that we have gained mastery and a strong transformation, this application is very good and suitable,” Mr. Thang said.
