A vehicle drives past workers near power plant number 10 at Saudi Electricity Company’s Central Operation Area, south of Riyadh, in this April 27, 2012 file photo.

The Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) has introduced a new system covering more than 7.5 million subscribers. The company called upon subscribers to replace their old billing numbers with new ones to come under the new unified billing system that became effective on Sunday.

A company source told Arab News that the new billing system is designed to deal with the direct beneficiaries as well providing electronic services to users in any area in the Kingdom as the balance and payment processes of the bills will be linked to the new account numbers.

The company said it started introducing the new system since the beginning of 2014 in the Eastern Province, the Northern Border Region, Al-Jouf and Abha as well as areas in south Riyadh and north Jeddah.

Mansour Al-Qahtani, deputy executive president of distribution and customers’ services at SEC, said that the number of beneficiaries in the first phase will reach 4.5 million subscribers until their number reaches 7.5 million with the full implementation of the system in March.

Al-Qahtani added that the new billing system includes issuing new account numbers for all electricity company participants as well as canceling the old ones.

“All bills’ balance and payment processes will be transferred in an integrated manner to the new accounts. All registered participants in the electronic services (mobile or postal mail messages) will be automatically re-registered in the new account numbers,” he explained.

He stressed the need for subscribers to activate the new account numbers in their bank accounts and cancel the old account numbers. “We will be sending mobile messages to all registered participants to inform them of the new account number. The first bill will also be dedicated to clearly inform subscribers of the new account number,” he added.

The SEC invited its subscribers to be registered in the free SMS service so they can be in contact with the company and be up-to-date with the most recent changes as well knowing their new account numbers. Those who wish to be included in this free SMS service can send the account number listed in their bill in a text message to number 75555 to STC subscribers, or 6555 for Mobily subscribers, 715555 for Zain subscribers. They can register in the electronic services.

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