Government agrees to reduce electricity prices due to Covid-19

The Ministry of Industry and Trade said that the Government has agreed with the agency's proposal to reduce electricity prices to support people and businesses for 3 months (April, May and June). The Ministry is currently seeking opinions from ministries and branches on implementation guidelines until April 14, after which it will issue an official decision on price reduction.

Accordingly, household electricity prices will be reduced by 10% for levels 1-4 (under 300 kWh). Manufacturing and trading enterprises will receive a 10% discount during peak, normal and off-peak hours. Tourist accommodation establishments will be subject to the same new price as manufacturing households.

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In addition, facilities for isolating and treating suspected and confirmed Covid-19 patients are exempted from 100% of electricity bills. Facilities for examining, treating, testing and treating suspected and confirmed Covid-19 patients are entitled to a 20% reduction in electricity bills. Hotels and tourist accommodation facilities used to isolate suspected and confirmed Covid-19 patients are also entitled to a 20% reduction.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the reduction in electricity prices and electricity bills will be applied from the billing periods of May, June and July, corresponding to the billing periods of April, May and June.

According to the Ministry's calculations, the total amount of support for electricity customers is nearly VND 11,000 billion, of which production and business enterprises will receive a reduction of about VND 6,100 billion; households will receive a reduction of VND 2,900 billion; tourist accommodation establishments will receive about VND 1,800 billion and VND 100 billion for establishments serving the fight against Covid-19.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade also advised people that the peak of the hot season has now arrived, especially in the southern provinces. With students taking long breaks from school and people staying at home to prevent the epidemic, the demand for electricity for daily life has increased. To limit the increase in electricity bills during hot months, customers should use electricity safely, economically and effectively by turning off electrical appliances when not needed; not using many high-capacity appliances at the same time; installing appliances labeled as energy-saving; setting the air conditioner to a cooling temperature of 26 degrees or higher...

In particular, the Ministry of Industry and Trade recommends that people make the most of sunlight and natural ventilation to keep the air circulating and cool, both helping to save electricity and reducing the density of viruses and bacteria, limiting the spread of disease.