Counter payments for electricity bills to be abolished: EP BiH explains how we will pay in the future

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Following global social trends, JP Elektroprivreda BiH is implementing extensive activities within its digital business transformation, including the reform of the electricity bill payment system.

In this regard, as of January 1, 2021, payments at Elektrodistribucija counters will be suspended, and household customers will be able to pay their bills without commission at all BH Pošta branches. A much larger number of payment counters will be available to customers. EPBiH will cover the commission costs for payments at BH Pošta instead of the customers.

For customers who prefer electronic communication, commission-free payments are enabled through e-payment services. Namely, in addition to standard electronic payment slips, EPBiH has arranged a special e-payment service with pre-filled payment slips, which is available through the mobile/internet banking of BBI bank (e-režije), Intesa SanPaolo bank (e-Plati), Raiffeisen bank (Režije na klik), Sberbank BH (ClickPay), Sparkasse bank (PLATI RAČUNE), UniCredit Bank (e-uplatnica), and Ziraat bank (e-Računi).

Clients of the aforementioned banks can register for these services free of charge, and upon issuance of the monthly electricity bill, EPBiH sends the amount from the last bill to the bank, based on which the bank prepares a ready-made payment slip and places it in the user's internet or mobile banking account. Customers are also allowed to adjust the payment amount if necessary. Payment is approved by the customer when they wish. The e-payment service is available to all customers supplied with electricity by EPBiH.

Users of e-bills are exempt from paying commission costs, which EPBiH has taken upon itself to promote electronic delivery and payment. It is necessary to register specifically for the aforementioned e-payment services on mobile or internet banking using the reference number of the electricity bill, because when paying via classic electronic payment slips, a bank commission is charged in accordance with the internal price lists of the banks and their business policies.
In addition to the aforementioned services, EPBiH has also enabled card payments for bills through the digital HuHu application, which is implemented in accordance with modern security standards for card payments.

To pay via the HuHu application, it is sufficient to have any payment card, and payments are also enabled for users from abroad for multiple metering points.

In addition to the HuHu application, bills can also be paid via the OPA mobile application, which represents an intuitive and modern way of paying at a large number of points of sale, and the mechanism for paying electricity bills is identical to other e-payment services.

As part of the digital transformation process, numerous benefits have been introduced for all customers who opt for electronic bill delivery (e-bill). For users who receive electricity bills via email, the payment deadline has been extended to 30 days. The e-bill is completely identical to the paper one, delivery is faster and safer, and the electronic archive ensures permanent availability and minimizes the risk of losing bills, delays, etc. Registration for e-bills is free, and can be done by filling out and submitting or sending the Statement for electronic bill delivery, via the user account on the portal www.epbih.ba, and via the HuHu and OPA mobile applications.