Electricity du Cambodge (EdC) has come under fire as consumers have posted complaints online about excessive increases in electricity bills, while EdC said bills depend on the time of year and the types of electric devices used.
People have claimed that the increases have affected their daily livelihoods as Phnom Penh and Kandal province’s Takhamo town have been in lockdown.
Business owner Van Sokunthear told The Post that over the last few months, electricity prices had skyrocketed even though his business has shut down due to Covid.
“My house sells goods… but for over two months, we have not sold goods regularly. But the electricity bill was more than 600,000 riel ($150) for two months in a row. What is noteworthy, in March and April, the bill increased to over 870,000 riel and I had shut the business for some time,” he said.
“In fact, they [EDC] explained on the phone and sent a working group to inspect our house and explained the matter clearly. Because I do not understand the techniques, I pay the money and I will monitor it. If it still increases, I will find a way to meet with the working group again,” Sokunthear added.
Yi Sophoarn who resides in Chaom Chao II commune in Phnom Penh’s Por Sen Chey district said that he had spent over 400,000 riel a month, but this April, it had doubled to more than 800,000 riel.
“Each month I use at most 460,000 riel. But this April, it came to over 800,000 riel. I did not use anything more or add any tools. I used it as usual. I do not use air conditioners all day, I only turn them on at night,” she said.
EDC said: “Although we use normal house devices, during the dry season demand for electricity increases. Electrical devices such as fans, air conditioners and refrigerators are used longer than before.”
