On the afternoon of November 7, continuing the 8th Session, the National Assembly discussed in the hall the Draft Law on Electricity (amended).
Delegate Nguyen Tam Hung (Ba Ria - Vung Tau Delegation) said that Article 86 of the draft stipulates types of electricity prices and the role of the Government in regulating electricity prices.
However, according to delegates, this does not clarify the mechanism for handling rapidly changing electricity prices; it is unclear about the types of costs that make up the price.
Similarly, Article 87 does not have provisions on transparency regarding actual cost factors for setting electricity prices such as production and distribution costs and suppliers' profits, to avoid unreasonable price increases.
Therefore, delegate Nguyen Tam Hung suggested that the draft law should specify more clearly the frequency of electricity price adjustments; the Government should announce the adjustment time in advance so that consumers can predict and adjust their spending.
Along with that, it is necessary to add a provision requiring the public to disclose the entire electricity price structure, clearly explaining how electricity prices are calculated and the factors that influence the increase or decrease in electricity prices.
Delegate Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy (Bac Kan delegation) suggested that it is necessary to study and clarify the basis for building electricity price tables, from investment costs, transmission capacity, transmission upgrade and repair; maintenance and repair fees.
In addition, research on the calculation of electricity tariffs in some countries around the world, separating relatively clearly the electricity prices for public services as well as market-based activities.
“Consumers need to have full information to understand the nature of the matter, to share and agree; at the same time, they are the direct supervisors and regulators of their electricity usage. This is also to protect the rights of consumers that the law is aiming for,” said the delegate.
Also on this content, delegate Pham Van Hoa (Dong Thap delegation) expressed his agreement with the implementation of electricity price with 2 components: capacity and output to be clear, transparent, and avoid cross-subsidization of electricity price.
This delegate said that cross-subsidization of electricity prices is unacceptable.
“It is unacceptable to increase electricity prices in one sector, one customer compensates another sector, another customer. The State’s social security policies are compensated by using budget money. It is unacceptable to report annual losses from electricity due to buying high and selling low, this is not fair to the market economy,” emphasized delegate Pham Van Hoa.
