The Ministry of Energy and Mines said it has started an audit process to review the amounts reported by users and identify any anomalies in the charges.

In response to complaints about the amounts billed by electric companies during the blackouts, the Government of Ecuador announced the temporary suspension of the collection of electricity bills corresponding to the month of September.

The Ministry of Energy and Mines said in a statement on Thursday that an audit process has been initiated to review the values reported by users and identify any anomalies.

Authorities therefore assure that there will be no service cuts due to non-payment until the audit process is completed.

In recent days, several users have approached the electric companies to find out why the cost of their bills has increased when there are rationings of up to ten hours a day. The blackouts resumed in the country on September 23.

Users who have already paid their bills and have questions about the amounts paid can file the corresponding claims with each of the distribution companies, the Ministry of Energy indicated.