Barbadians could face an immediate hike in their electricity rates if the Fair Trading Commission (FTC) approves a Barbados Light & Power Company (BL&P) request for temporary relief ahead of its final decision on the matter.
Acting chief executive officer of the Fair Trading Commission, Dr Marsha Atherly-Ikechi, confirmed yesterday that the electric utility wanted “interim relief” via the imposition of the increased tariff, which would see electricity bills increasing by between five per cent and 20 per cent, effective November 1.
A published notice from the regulator’s general legal counsel/commission secretary Kevin K.D. Webster said further that BL&P wanted its overall proposed 11.9 per cent increased rate to come into effect from April 1, 2022.
BL&P filed the application for an increased tariff, its first since 2010, on October 4, with managing director Roger Blackman saying “the significant increase in costs and necessary investments like the new 33 megawatt Clean Energy Bridge plant at Trents, St Lucy compels us to seek an adjustment in electricity prices”. (SC)
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