Electricity Charges Relief Scheme
Electricity Charges Relief Scheme (2024-25) (“ECRS 2024-25”)
To alleviate the impact of tariff increase on households during this transitional period in moving to a low carbon future, the Government provides a new round of electricity charges relief to each eligible residential electricity account in Hong Kong a maximum electricity charges relief of $1,200 over 24 months (i.e. $50 per month) from January 2024 to December 2025. The relief can only be used for offsetting electricity charges. Any unused relief can be carried forward to offset electricity charges under the same account until 31 December 2025 or the close of the account (whichever is earlier).
The previous ECRS 2019-23 has come to a close in end 2023.
Reference Questions and Answers
| Q | Who will be eligible for the electricity charges relief? |
| A | In general, registered residential electricity accounts are eligible for the relief. |
| Q | How will the new round of electricity charges relief be granted? |
| A | The Government will credit $50 to each eligible residential account with the power companies in existence on the first day of each month for 24 consecutive months, commencing from 1 January 2024. For each calendar month, only one residential account holder can get the relief in respect of a residential address. |
| Q | Will accounts with unused subsidy previously provided by the Government be granted the electricity charges relief starting from January 2024? |
| A | All residential electricity accounts, including accounts with unused subsidy under electricity charges subsidy schemes (ECSS), can benefit from the electricity charges relief scheme. Unused subsidy under the past ECSS implemented in 2008 to 2013 will be utilised first in offsetting bill payment. Relief amount credited to the account will be utilised after such unused subsidy is exhausted or expired. |
| Q | Will tenants of service apartments be eligible for the electricity charges relief? |
| A | The mode of collecting electricity charges varies in different service apartments. While electricity charges are covered by the rental for some service apartments, some tenants are required to pay the charges to the landlords (instead of the electricity companies). As to whether the tenant of a service apartment is eligible for the relief, it will be subject to factors such as having a "separate electricity meter of an electricity company" installed in that apartment, holding a residential electricity account for the power supply, as well as the agreement between the tenant and the landlord. |
| Q | If the electricity account relates to a leased unit, who (the tenant or the landlord) will receive the electricity charges relief? |
| A | Electricity charges relief will reduce the amount of electricity charges demanded in the electricity bills. As to who will be enjoying the relief, this depends on the agreement between the tenant and the landlord. Generally speaking, if the tenant of the leased unit is the holder of such an electricity account, he/she only needs to pay the adjusted amount shown on the bill. If the account is registered in the name of the landlord but the tenant is required to pay the amounts as shown on the electricity company’s bills under the agreement, he/she can enjoy the relief in the same way. |
| Q | Will tenants living in bedspace apartments and cubicles (subdivided units) be eligible for the relief? |
| A | Electricity charges relief will reduce the amount of electricity charges demanded in the electricity bills. As how to share the relief, this depends on the agreement between the tenant and the landlord. |
| Q | Will the electricity charges relief cover vacant flats with registered meters? |
| A | In general, properties identified as new residential flats still owned by property developers will not be granted the electricity charges relief. The relief will cover other vacant flats. |
| Q | If a customer closes his account before 31 December 2025 due to removal or other reasons, can the unused portion of the credited relief under the account be transferred to another account or converted to cash? |
| A | On account close, the unused portion of the credited relief cannot be used further nor converted to cash. |
| Q | If there is a change in the registered account holder in the middle of the month during the period of crediting the electricity charges relief, will the relief be credited to the new and old accounts on a pro-rata basis? |
| A | No, the registered account holder as at the first day of the month will be entitled to the full $50 credit. |
| Q | If a customer closes an account on the first day of a month and another opens a new one on the same day for the same meter, which account will be given the electricity charges relief? |
| A | The new account will be given the relief. |
| Q | During the credit period of electricity charges relief, will new registered accounts be entitled to the credit for the month immediately? |
| A | If the new account exists on the first day of the month, it will be credited the relief amount for the same month. If the account comes into existence on the second day or following days of the month, the account will be credited the relief from the next month. Accounts opened after the last credit day (i.e. after 1 December 2025) will not be entitled to any credit of relief. |
| Q | Will the Will the electricity charges relief be granted in the form of cash? |
| A | No. |
| Q | Can the electricity charges relief be used for paying deposits? |
| A | The electricity charges relief can only be used for paying electricity charges. It cannot be used for paying deposits. |
| Q | What is the validity period of the unused electricity charges relief under ECRS 2024-25? |
| A | Unused relief under ECRS 2024-25 can be carried forward to offset electricity bill for the same electricity account until 31 December 2025. |
| Q | What is the validity period of the unused electricity charges relief under ECRS 2019-23? |
| A | ECRS 2019-23 has come to a close. Any unused credit, after offsetting electricity charges for December 2023 (i.e. bills covering consumption period on or before 31 December 2023), has been expired and would not be carried forward to the new round of ECRS. Example: 1. HK Electric customers (Monthly billing) Mr C’s date of bill is 15th of each month. His bill for December 2023 (i.e. covering consumption period from 16 December 2023 to 15 January 2024) will be issued on 15 January 2024. Such bill will be the last bill that can utilise the credit under ECRS (2019-23). 2. CLP customers (Bimonthly billing) Mr D’s date of bill is 15th of even months. His bill for December 2023 (i.e. covering consumption period from 16 December 2023 to 15 February 2024) will be issued on 15 February 2024. Such bill will be the last bill that can utilise the credit under ECRS (2019-23). |
CLP's Customer Service Hotline: 2678 2678
HK Electric's Customer Service Hotline: 2887 3411