PLN Tips for Calculating Electricity Payment Components and Managing Usage Patterns

High volatility is still likely to continue until the end of May. PT PLN (Persero) is inviting the public to understand energy consumption patterns and the various components that affect electricity payments, so that the public can manage electricity usage more wisely, efficiently, and in accordance with daily needs. Executive Vice President of Corporate Communications and Social and Environmental Responsibility (TJSL) PLN, Gregorius Adi Trianto, explained that the amount of electricity payments for customers can vary in each period or transaction because they are influenced by the level of electricity energy usage and a number of applicable cost components in each region. “PLN supports customers in understanding that electricity payments are not only influenced by electricity tariffs, but also by energy usage patterns and other components that follow local government regulations or applicable rules. With this understanding, customers can more easily adjust electricity consumption according to their needs,” said Gregorius. He added that household electricity tariffs have not changed since July 2022. Therefore, if there is a difference in the payment amount, it is generally influenced by changes in electricity consumption patterns or other cost components. For postpaid services, the total electricity bill is calculated based on the amount of electricity energy usage (kWh) recorded on the customer’s meter, then added with other components such as the Street Lighting Tax (PPJ), which varies in each area, stamp duty, and Value Added Tax (VAT) for certain customer groups. Meanwhile, for prepaid services, the nominal value of the electricity token purchased by the customer is not entirely directly converted into electrical energy. A portion is first allocated for PPJ payments according to local government regulations, then the remainder is converted into the amount of kWh that can be used by the customer. As an illustration, a 2,200 VA customer who purchases an electricity token worth Rp200,000 will be charged PPJ in Jakarta at 2.4 percent, so the value converted to electricity is Rp195,200. With an electricity tariff of Rp1,444.70 per kWh, the customer will receive 135 kWh of electrical energy. In the postpaid system, the calculation also refers to the amount of electricity energy usage. This means that if the customer’s electricity usage is at 135 kWh, the total bill to be paid will also be the same after adding the PPJ component according to the applicable regulations. Customers can now more easily monitor electricity usage history and token purchase records through the PLN Mobile application. In addition, postpaid customers can also utilise the Swacam (Self-Record Meter Reading) feature to independently record meter readings as a form of control over monthly electricity usage. Through the Swacam feature in PLN Mobile, postpaid customers can record meter readings by opening the Swacam menu, selecting the Customer ID, taking a photo of the meter reading on the kWh meter, then submitting the recording results through the application according to the specified period. This feature helps customers monitor the accuracy of electricity usage more transparently. “Through better understanding of consumption patterns and electricity payment components, customers can utilise electrical energy more efficiently, comfortably, and in accordance with daily needs,” Gregorius concluded.