The number of electricity consumers applying for installment-based settlement of electricity bills has doubled over the past four months, market officials have informed.

Households are now needing to deal with electricity bills representing the late-winter period of what was a long winter. Low temperatures persisted throughout March, prompting high electricity consumption levels amid a market of exorbitant tariff levels.

Independent electricity suppliers are reported to be offering troubled consumers installment-based payback arrangements of between three to five monthly installments.

Power utility PPC is offering customers monthly installment payback plans over as many as 24 months, depending on the amount owed.