The new design provides more information and for the first time the power bills will show the government subsidy on consumption. The design has been created in coordination with licensed distribution and supply companies - Muscat Electricity Distribution Company Majan Electricity Distribution Company Mazoon Electricity Distribution Company the Rural Areas Electricity Company and Dhofar Power Company.

Qais al Zakwani executive director AER said that the authority is working hard to raise the performance standard of companies in the electricity sector in order to serve customers in the best possible manner taking into consideration their complaints and observations.

'The main target of the new design is providing information regarding consumption in a clear and adequate manner in addition to detailing rights of the customers and their obligations in respect of bill payment within the specified period.

We hope that the provided information will show the pattern of consumption and enable the customer to use electricity in an efficient way. This in turn will help in preserving energy resources for future generations. It will also reduce the investments required in execution of new projects and direct the same towards enhancing the quality of services' he said.

The newly-designed bills will include information regarding the current and previous readings and the period between these two readings for calculation of the cost of consumption.

Zakwani said that AER also urges distribution companies to adopt new technologies for communicating with customers for delivery of their bills on time.

'Moreover the amount of the subsidy provided by the government for the said consumption will be shown on the bill. We would like to confirm that the new design of the bills doesn't mean any change in the electricity supply tariff. It is only a change in the form and content of the bill' he concluded.