Portal Will Allow Online Bill Queries, Service Requests and Help to Get Connected

Muscat, 27th January 2010:  The Electricity Holding Company (EHC) has announced the launch of a new customer focused e-portal that will significantly improve services to customers across the Sultanate and allow faster, easier interaction with local electricity distribution companies across the country.

The new e-portal was formally launched by EHC Chief Executive Karl Matacz in the presence of the Secretary General of the Ministry of National Economy and ITA Chairman H.E. Mohammed bin Nassir Al-Khusaibi and the Chairman of EHC and the Public Authority for Electricity and Water H.E. Mohammed Al-Mahrouqi.

Mr. Matacz explained that the new online initiative was another commitment from EHC and its electricity distribution companies to continually improve the service to the customer wherever they may live in Oman.

It also shows the support that EHC is providing to the ITA in its ongoing work to bring new eServices to both the general public and the businesses in Oman.  The ITA has played an important role in working with the EHC to ensure that the e-portal has been developed and is now ready for customers to log on to www.electricity.com.om

When customers log on they will be welcomed by the phrase - My e-Portal - to personalize the experience and also encouraged to "Save Energy for a Better Future".

The new e-Portal will enable customers to have instant online access to view details of their accounts, monthly pills and payment status.  Existing customers can now request services online including meter inspections and reconnection if required and the portal will become an invaluable source of information for newcomers to the country wanting information on electrical services and how to get connected.

Speaking at the launch, Karl Matacz said: "Our modern new e-Portal is another important step to improve the way that the electricity business interacts with its customers across Oman and will provide an easy to use single point of contact for the residential and business user on a broad range of inquiries and interaction with both EHC and our four electricity distribution companies.

"We are living increasingly in the online age and it was important to ensure that we can offer an efficient, easy to use and customer friendly facility to the growing number of Omanis and expatriates who prefer to use eServices.

"The e-Portal is an added service that we and the four distribution companies will be offering and our residential and corporate customers will of course still be able to contact their local supplier directly to discuss any aspect of their electricity requirements."

Mr. Matacz thanked the Information Technology Authority (ITA) for their expertise, experience and technological support that played a major part in ensuring the design and implementation of a bright, vibrant and easy to use e-Portal.

In the future additional services will be added to the e-Portal including the ability to pay bills online using credit cards and real time information about any electricity outages that may occur.

The predominantly green colour of the new portal reinforces the commitment to the environment by both the EHC and the four distribution companies - Mazoon Electricity, Muscat Electricity, Majan Electricity and the Rural Areas Electricity Company (RAECO) who were represented at the launch by their respective General Managers.

"We have deliberately put in the line encouraging people to save energy for a better future on the portal home page as we are fully committed to encouraging individuals, business and other large organizations to conserve energy and use it more efficiently.

"In 2009 we managed a very successful awareness campaign advising people on how to save electricity and the new portal will give us a fresh outlet for ongoing education to show people how to conserve energy to lower their individual bills and help protect the environment," added Mr. Matacz.

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For further information, please contact:
Kevin Hasler/Zahra Al Lawati
ZEENAH PR
Tel: 00 968 99 851 910

© Press Release 2010