A worker of the Việt Nam Electricity checking the power system. Power bills have been reduced until the end of this year as an effort to ease the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Reductions in electricity prices from June to the end of this year to support customers to overcome the difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic are estimated to total VNĐ1.57 trillion (US$67.67 million), according to the Việt Nam Electricity (EVN).

On June 2 ,the Government issued Resolution No 55/NQ-CP to reduce electricity prices in response to the EVN”s proposal to support those heavily affected by the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, including hotels as well as medical and isolation centres.

Facilities which were used for isolation, and examinations related to COVID-19, would enjoy 100 per cent reduction, while 20 per cent reductions would be provided for medical facilities which were used to test and treat COVID-19 patients, which was estimated to total VNĐ100 billion.

Tourist accommodation facilities would enjoy retail electricity prices equal to those applied for production and was estimated to total VNĐ1.47 trillion.

The reductions would be applied in seven months, for power bills from June to December this year.

This was the third reduction in electricity prices after two similar discounts offered last year.

The first ran from April 16, 2020 to July 17, 2020 and supported more than 27 million customers with the total reduction totalling around VNĐ9.3 trillion.

The second was from October to December 2020 with more than 25.4 million customers enjoying the reductions worth VNĐ3 trillion.

At the Government press conference on Thursday, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Đỗ Thắng Hải said that any adjustments in electricity prices would be considered carefully to prevent any possible impacts on production and business as well as lives of residents while ensuring stable macroeconomy.

Adjustments in retail electricity prices were studied from 2018 and the Ministry proposed the adjustments to the Government at the most suitable point of time this year to limit its impacts, Hải said, adding that electricity prices were a sensitive issue and being studied carefully. — VNS