PM demands ministry report on impact of peak-hour power pricing

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has asked the Ministry of Industry and Trade for a report next month on the peak-hour power pricing policy which has drawn a string of complaints from businesses since March.

Commercial power users are now charged double the normal rates between 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. and between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Before March 1, only power used between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. was subject to peak rates.

Many businesses have since protested the extension of peak hours, arguing it is unreasonable to be charged extra between 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. since it is a key production period.

The ministry has to report to the government the impacts of the extension and what it has done to help businesses solve the problems caused by the new policy, online newswire VietNamNet reported Wednesday, citing a government statement.

According to the Electricity Regulator of Vietnam, the extension of peak hours can increase power costs by as much as 22.6 percent. The ministry, however, has not released any official figures.

thanhnien

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