In cases where quarantine is imposed as part of the fight against the new type of coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak, meter readings are suspended due to administrative decisions, and meter reading employees cannot maintain their social distancing, electricity and natural gas bills will be adjusted “by analogy”. This practice will remain in effect for 3 months.
According to the statement made by the Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EMRA), a new regulation was made in meter readings in line with the recommendations of expert boards and institutions in order to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 outbreak and to ensure social isolation.
Accordingly, a “Comparable Invoice Arrangement” will be implemented in electricity and natural gas in order to protect the health of sector employees and consumers.
This regulation will only apply to quarantined settlements, settlements where meter readings have been suspended by administrative decisions, and in cases where meter reading employees cannot maintain social distancing and will be applied for 3 months.
In this context, for consumers whose meters cannot be read, billing will be made based on the consumer’s consumption averages for the relevant month of the last 2 years, taking into account seasonality, or comparatively according to the consumer’s own declaration if the consumer has no past consumption.
Consumers whose meters cannot be read will receive comparative invoices via mail, cargo, SMS or e-mail.
Consumers will also be informed that this invoice is made comparatively by taking into account past consumption averages due to the inability to read the meter and that when the meter is read, corrections will be made over the actual consumption amounts within the framework of the relevant legislation.
Offsetting will be made
Only for consumers who cannot take meter readings, offsetting will be made on the date of reading. If the consumer has a receivable as a result of the offsetting process, installments will be made in advance, and if the consumer has a debt, installments will be made for the invoice period in which the meter could not be read.
The invoice calculation method for consumption will be monitored by EMRA and consumers will not be allowed to be victimized. Consumers will be able to check their invoices and consumption amounts on the websites of companies and institutions or via e-Government.
On the other hand, the meter readings of the enterprises whose activities are suspended within the scope of the circular will be postponed.
Possible consumer objections to the offsetting process will be evaluated by EMRA, and in the event of a wrongful practice by distribution companies, an investigation will be initiated against these companies and sanctions specified in the legislation will be applied.
In addition, it is recommended that consumers forward their contact information to the relevant distribution and supply companies and update it if necessary in order to enable many works and transactions to be carried out with mobile communication tools in this process.
Source: https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/ekonomi/elektrik-ve-dogal-gazda-3-ay-sureyle-kiyasen-fatura-duzenlenecek/1790492
