EDL sparks electricity bill payment service cooperation

EDL sparks electricity bill payment service cooperation

Electricity du Laos (EDL) has now opened the door to cooperate with service sectors allowing consumers to conveniently pay their electricity bills electronically.

EDL's Vientiane Power Distribution Department Director, Mr Soukhonh Chanthone said yesterday the company hopes to join forces with service sectors including banks, telecommunication and trade service units of shops and mini-marts in the future.

“Other countries, including Asean, have already implemented such service systems,” Mr Soukhonh said.

Currently people can pay their electricity bills via the electronic service of three banks: Lao Development Bank (LDB), Banque Pour Le Commerce Exterieur Lao (BCEL) Public and Indochina Bank Ltd.

Mr Soukhonh said EDL had joined forces on the electricity bills payment with BCEL since last year and LDB last month.

The bank systems include bills payment via ATM and mobile phone in Vientiane and provinces.

“People will also be able to pay their electricity bills via ACLEDA Bank Lao Ltd soon; it may start next month,” he said.

EDL and ACLEDA Bank Lao signed the project cooperation agreement recently with the work plan being prepared.

“We expect to have the cooperation of all the banks in Laos and also hope to have similar cooperation with telecommunication companies and shops,” he said.

Recently a telecom company and a mini-mart service group had discussions with EDL and also conducted a study on the cooperation project.

Deputy Managing Director of EDL, Mr Duangsy Pharanhok said the amount of outstanding electricity accounts were growing every month, reaching more than 400 billion kip as of late. It was hoped that by adding this convenient facility it would help customers pay on time.

It would also eliminate the often-heard complaint from those who live far from an EDL service office that it was very difficult to actually make payment and required time and effort on the part of the bill payer, Mr Duangsy added, providing newfound convenience for both EDL customers and also staff working to keep accounts up-to-date.

EDL is tightening regulations to enforce stricter collection of debts after many electricity consumers have failed to pay their bills, leaving large sums unpaid over the past few years.

EDL is facing serious challenges in running its business efficiently when a large number of electricity users owe money to the public company.

There is more than 270 billion kip in debt from electricity users in Vientiane alone while more than 400 billion kip is owed by customers across the country.

vientiane times