Alerts for high-tariff electricity use

TDT | Manama

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An urgent proposal to require the Electricity and Water Authority to send alerts when a customer’s electricity use moves into the third, higher-tariff band has been approved by Parliament. The proposal calls for messages to be sent by SMS or electronic notification as soon as a customer passes the first and second bands, warning that their use has reached the third band. MP Bader Al Tameemi, who submitted the proposal, said it was meant to give households early warning before costs rise.

“Many citizens are not familiar with the stages of consumption and what costs follow,” he said, adding that this “often leads to shock when bills are received”.

The proposal was driven by consumer protection. “The proposal came from a desire to protect consumers from unexpected financial burdens,” Al Tameemi said.