Vietnam: The electricity seller must notify the electricity buyer at least 05 days ahead of the time of disconnection of the electricity supply

Specifically, according to Article 8 of Circular No. 22/2020/TT-BCT of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam, in case of non-emergency electricity supply disconnection and reduction, the electricity seller must notify the electricity buyer at least 05 days ahead of the time of disconnection or reduction of the electricity supply in the following specific forms:

- Sending the notice in writing or in other forms agreed upon by the two parties in the electricity purchase and sale contract to consumers with an average electricity purchase volume of over 100,000kWh/month and to key electricity users;

- Broadcasting on mass media or in other means of communication as agreed in the electricity sale and purchase contract for 03 consecutive days with regard to the rest of consumers. The first notification must be sent at least 05 days before the time of disconnection and reduction of the electricity supply.

Moreover, after notification of electricity supply disconnection or reduction, the electricity seller shall be responsible for disconnecting or reducing the electricity supply as stated in the notification. In case of failure to disconnect or reduce electricity supply according to the notification, the electricity seller must notify the electricity buyer at least 24 days ahead of the time of disconnection or reduction of the electricity supply.

In case the electricity seller requests a change in the notified time of electricity supply disconnection or reduction, they must consult the electricity buyer at least 48 days ahead of the time of disconnection or reduction of the electricity supply. The electricity seller shall be responsible for considering dealing with the request of the electricity buyer, specifically as follows:

- In case of being unable to change electricity supply disconnection or reduction, the electricity seller may still do so according to the plan, but must inform the electricity buyer, clearly stating the reasons at least 24 days ahead of the time of disconnection or reduction of the electricity supply;

- In case of acceptance of a change in the time of electricity supply disconnection or reduction, the electricity seller must inform the electricity buyer at least 24 days ahead of the notified time of disconnection or reduction of the electricity supply.

After completion of the electricity supply disconnection or reduction, the electricity seller must fully record the time, activities and steps of the electricity supply disconnection or reduction in the activity log or the operational log. The electricity seller must reconnect the electricity according to the specified time. In case the time of reconnection of electricity is at least 1 hour delayed from the notified time, the electricity seller must notify the customer with the average electricity purchase volume of over 100,000 kWh/month and key electricity consumers of the time of reconnection of electricity by phone or by other form of notification agreed upon by both parties in the electricity sale and purchase contract.

View details at: Circular No. 22/2020/TT-BCT of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam takes effect from October 30, 2020.

Le Vy

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