Gov’t subsidy does not cover December electricity consumption- BVIEC GM clarifies
And with the Unity Government announcing 100 percent subsidy on the fuel surcharge for residential customers of the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) for December, some persons may misinterpret that to mean they can go ahead and put up a lot of lights this Christmas.
While General Manager of BVIEC Mr Leroy A.E. Abraham is not discouraging anyone from decorating their homes with lots of Christmas lights, he is reminding them to expect a “huge” bill in December.
Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5), in a statement on September 12, 2022, said Government will be subsidising 50% of the fuel oil surcharge on residential electricity bills for the months of October and November 2022, and for the month of December 2022, the subsidy will be 100% of the fuel oil surcharge for residential electricity bills.
December consumption ‘not subsidised’- Abraham
Mr Abraham, speaking to Virgin Islands News Online, explained that the electricity bill customers will receive in December, which will get 100 percent of the fuel surcharge subsidised, is based on the November consumption.
“A lot of persons don’t realise that electricity is one of the last industries that operate in a post-paid market, so the credit that went on for October was based on your September consumption and then your October consumption will be the 50 percent credit in November and then your November consumption will be the 100 percent credit for December.
“So if people are going to put up a ton of Christmas lights in December they will get a huge bill in January, which is not subsidised,” Mr Abraham stated.
The General Manager said he wanted to make that “abundantly clear” because, unfortunately, “some people think it is the same month that you get the bill is when you use electricity but the meter has to be read…”
The Christmas season is often a time
when persons decorate their homes and yards with lots of beautiful and
sometimes extravagant lights, helping to usher in the spirit of the
season. ‘BVIEC continues to preach energy conservation’
Mr Abraham said, recognising the high cost of fuel globally, BVIEC continues to preach and promote energy conservation.
“That’s the low-hanging fruit in terms of reduction to your energy bill. The energy bill is totally associated with consumption, so if you can reduce your consumption then that will actually reduce your electricity bill, particularly at a time when fuel prices are escalating.”
