Electricity bills to be recalculated in Oman

Muscat: Electricity bills that customers need to pay for the months of May and June will be recalculated according to a new pricing system adopted by the Authority for Public Services Regulation.

Under the new system, the first tier of pricing will affect people who have consumed up to 4,000 kWh, the second tier is for customers who have drawn between 4,001 and 6,000 kWh, and the third segment is for those who have drawn upwards of 6,000 kWh.

There will also be no increase in tariffs during the summer months this year. The APSR has also instructed licensed power distribution firms to suspend the disconnection of electricity services, this summer, for those who are unable to pay their bills.

Furthermore, interested customers need to be provided ways to reschedule the bills owed for May and June.

During a press conference held on Monday, the authority said it was also looking at other tariff structures for economic and farming services to help them adapt to the current circumstances. It will also continue to revise the mechanisms that govern the electricity sector on a regular basis.

The APSR also reiterated its intentions to promote public services and promote the rights of all citizens. The assessment comes within the government’s vision and keenness to ensure the success of the programme of re-orienting subsidy to the electricity and water sector for the ‘entitled segments’ as approved in the Medium Term Fiscal Balance Plan (2020-2024) that was announced in December 2020.

The assessment seeks to alleviate burdens on the whole society, given the circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The above decisions were made following a comprehensive programme aimed at re-orienting electricity consumption subsidy in coordination with the departments concerned.