Announcement to Consumers under Contract of “Market-Price-Linked” Electricity Rate Plans

1. Case where customers are unaware of the terms and conditions of their contract

As the terms and conditions of the electricity rate plan for which customers have made a contract (i.e., calculation method of electricity rates) are described in the documents or materials provided by the electricity retailer, please fully confirm them. If the term “market-price-linked” is not contained in such documents, the plan may include the costs for electricity procurement contained in the electricity rates under an item called “adjusting costs,” etc. If customers face difficulties in understanding the terms, please contact your electricity retailer.

2. Case where customers have questions about the electricity rates

If customers have any questions, etc. about the electricity bill, they should fully confirm the terms and conditions of the contract and the electricity amount that they have consumed and then contact their current electricity retailer with which they have made a contract.

Moreover, EGC has requested that electricity retailers that provide market-price-linked electricity rate plans provide consumers with appropriate information on such plans. As some electricity retailers provide personal consultation services to consumers concerning payment, or publicize specific measures, e.g., discount of electricity rates, customers should fully confirm the communication documents sent from the

3. Case where customers intend to switch the current contract to one with a new electricity retailer

To switch to a contract with a new electricity retailer, all that is necessary is to file an application with the new electricity retailer by telephone or through the internet, and there is no requirement to contact the current electricity retailer with which the current contract was signed.

For smooth completion of such procedures, please prepare the following information in advance: [i] your name, [ii] your address, [iii] your contract number issued by your current electricity retailer, and [iv] the ID number of service points. The information for items [iii] and [iv] above can be found in the written contract, a notice of bank transfer or bill sent from your current electricity retailer.

To determine which company provides a suitable electricity rate plan, METI recommends that potential customers thoroughly consult with a potential electricity retailer by telephone.

EGC has opened a consultation counter to provide consultation services to consumers. If consumers have any problems, such as a case where a new electricity retailer, to which you intend to switch your electricity contract, refuses to do so, please contact the following consultation counter.

EGC consultation counter

E-mail：dentorii@meti.go.jp
Telephone: 03-3501-5725
Service hours: From 9:30 to 18:15, except Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays and the year-end and New-Year holidays (from December 29 to January 3)

Division in Charge

Market Surveillance Division, Electricity and Gas Market Surveillance Commission