Three state-run power units look set to allocate a combined 40 billion baht to help reduce the cost of living for consumers affected by the outbreak.
The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat), Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) and Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) yesterday made a joint statement that they are ready to return home electricity meter deposits; maintain the fuel tariff (Ft) rate for May to August and reduce power tariffs by 3% for April to June.
They are also poised to extend electricity bill payments for April and May for hotels and accommodation services for up to six months.
Normally after power users receive monthly bills they have 10 days to pay before they are cut off from the grid.
Such measures were approved by the cabinet on Tuesday as part of the government's ongoing efforts to alleviate the impact of the outbreak on consumers and hotel and accommodation service operators.
As much as 33 billion baht worth of electricity meter deposits, now kept by the PEA or MEA, will be returned to 3.86 million households and small-scale businesses. The deposits range from 300 to 6,000 baht per meter.
The capped Ft rate and the 3% power tariff reduction are estimated to cost the state power units 5.12 billion baht and 1.4 billion baht, respectively.
Those eligible for the deposit return are required to register as power users with the PEA and MEA. Normally they would have their meter deposits returned when the owners of houses or businesses no longer use electricity at that house or business unit.
The payback is scheduled to kick off in April through online applications and social media, as well as fixed phone lines for people who prefer the offline life.
Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) secretary-general Khomgrich Tantravanich said the deposit refunds will only be offered to households or small businesses with a capacity of 5-15 amperes that were paid to PEA or MEA to connect to the state grid.
The deposit recipients must declare their identity card number and the number of registered power users.
The refunds will be paid to savings accounts, online banking services, social welfare cards and via Counter Service.
Medium and large buildings with a capacity of 30-40 amperes will remain unchanged.
Last week, the three state power units announced they will maintain the Ft rate at 3.64 baht per kilowatt-hour from May to August, 20 months at the same rate, to protect the struggling economy.
Power bills are normally revised every four months in line with the movement of fuel prices, exchange rates and consumption demand.
The Ft rate has been stable since January 2019 at 3.64 baht.
Mr Khomgrich said a budget 5.12 billion baht has been allocated to maintain the Ft rate from May to August.
Part of the budget will come from the ERC's power regulation and management budget from the previous year for Egat, MEA and PEA.