THE Visayan Electric will soon allow its customers to pay only for electricity they use.
Through Load-e, Visayan Electric customers can pay in advance for a pre-computed amount of electricity with no daily fee or set costs.
Daryl Bonbon, Visayan Electric assistant vice president for customer services, presented the Load-e product during a virtual get-together with selected members of the community media on Tuesday, Sept. 21, as part of the celebration of Cebu Press Freedom Week 2021.
Load-e is akin to prepaid electricity, he said.
It will be piloted commercially in Barangays Banilad, Kasambagan and Lahug in Cebu City starting Oct. 15, 2021, although Visayan Electric employees have been using it since 2019.
The minumum load is P200 for 20 kilowatt-hours, which last for three to five days depending on usage.
Bonbon said Load-e would be ideal for customers with space rental businesses.
Visayan Electric picked the three northern barangays as pilot areas because many condominiums and commercial buildings are located there, he said.
Load-e allows the Visayan Electric customers to be free of bill shock, due dates and surcharges, Bonbon said.
Customers will be notified periodically by text how much electricity is left in their Load-e.
Bonbon advised customers not to use up the entire load or leave it empty and not to keep it idle for a month, lest their Load-e be deactivated automatically.
One can buy Load-e through the Unionbank mobile app.
Load-e uses the same smart meters currently used by Visayan Electric customers.