The state-run Electricite du Cambodge (EdC) announced that from May onward it would issue electricity bills once every three months to consumers in the red zones or lockdown areas as EdC agents could not deliver the bills in person.
EdC director-general Keo Rottanak told The Post that EdC would take this temporary measure until the government lifts the lockdown.
“We could not enter all the red zones as some of them are still considered risky … In doing so, our brothers and sisters will not have to pay a high price for electricity,” he said.
Rottanak explained that from 10 kilowatt hours (kWh) per month and under it would cost 380 riel ($0.095) per kWh. From 11kWh to 50kWh it costs 480 riel. From 51 kWh to 200 kWh it costs 610 riel. From 201 kWh and over it costs 730 riel.
“EdC could not discount electricity costs during the lockdown because the costs were set, and the state made up for the losses already,” he said.
Rottanak affirmed that electricity bills would be calculated based on monthly consumption as usual, as opposed to implementing an average billing method.
“EdC has no choice but to temporarily release the bills once every three months to those customers. If they have the ability to pay it, we calculate it accordingly. But if they still lack the means to pay, they can pay it later,” he said, adding it does not mean that those who have not paid their bills will have electricity service cut off.
“We have no plans to cut off the electricity in the red, orange and yellow zones, especially brothers and sisters who run small businesses or workers and migrant workers or students staying in rented units,” Rottanak said.
In response to a request by Prime Minister Hun Sen, the Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority on May 8 decided not to charge for water for three months to workers and students in the lockdown areas.
