Light & Power Supports Health for All
As millions across the globe recognized World Health Day 2023 on April 7, The Barbados Light & Power Company (Light & Power) sought to embody this year’s theme ‘Health for All’ through several activities planned for its employees, customers and community on April 6, ahead of Good Friday’s bank holiday.
As soon as the Company opened its doors to the public, customers were gifted with tokens filled with items to help boost their health. Customers, who were surprised by the gesture, expressed their delight and gratitude to the Customer Care Team on duty, who made the donations.
As the day continued, the message of making healthcare a priority permeated the organization. Employees stationed at various sites were exposed to healthy breakfast and snack options, and were encouraged to incorporate exercise into their daily routine through an afterhours aerobics session.
Stemming from a desire to take the message of health and wellness into the community, the Company partnered with the Heart & Stroke Foundation to facilitate a health booth at the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute (SJPI) for students and staff. The booth attracted attention from various individuals and allowed them to benefit from basic health checks, including weight, cholesterol, and blood pressure. A doctor was also on site to explain test results and provide counselling.
Light & Power’s Manager of Communications and Government Relations, Jackie Marshall-Clarke shared that, “Health and wellness is a very important aspect of Light & Power’s culture and we encourage employees to constantly be attentive to their wellbeing and to look out for each other as well. Wherever possible, we embrace opportunities to extend information and resources to our customers and to benefit the community as well. Over the years, we have engaged SJPI in projects for student and on this occasion, we are more than happy to enable access to our health care resources.
We are really pleased to champion this year’s theme in a tangible way and Light & Power will continue to work with our teams and partners to emphasize the importance of health care for all.”
BLPC Customers to Receive an Additional Eight Months of VAT Relief on Electricity Bills
The Barbados Light & Power Company (BLPC) welcomes the news from the Government of Barbados of the continuation of the Value-Added Tax (VAT) reduction for its customers.
“In August 2022, the Government of Barbados introduced a VAT reduction on electricity bills to help customers manage energy costs at a time when high global oil prices were having a significant impact on monthly bills,” said Rodney Dottin, Manager Customer Care. “Since that time, VAT has been charged at 7.5% instead of 17.5% on the first 250 kWh for residential bills, representing a monthly savings of about $14, based on February’s FCA, for customers using a minimum of 250 kWh. The reduction was to come to an end on January 31 2023 but, with Government’s announcement, VAT relief will continue until September 30, 2023.” Bills issued to customers in the month of February through September will continue to reflect the reduced VAT on the first 250 kWh of energy.
In terms of fuel costs to customers, which have varied significantly over the past year, BLPC is pleased to see world oil prices - and the resulting Fuel Clause Adjustment - continue to decline from a high of almost 50 cents per kilowatt hour in mid-2022 to about 32.5 cents in January 2023 and remain stable February.
BLPC also wishes to take this opportunity to remind customers that, in addition to VAT savings, there are other ways to save on electricity costs including taking advantage of the utility’s 10% early payment discount available to residential customers. Customers can browse our website for helpful energy conservation ideas and information to manage their monthly bill.
Fair Trading Commission Issues Interim Rates Decision
The Commission determined that Light & Power’s request for interim rates has been approved, at a cap of 50% of the requested rates for all customers, with the exception of rates to be charged to Light & Power employees for whom 100% of the rate requested is approved.
In accordance with the Fair Trading Commission’s (Commission) decision which became effective September 16, 2022 ,and which approves a request by Light & Power for interim rates, the Commission determined that Light & Power’s request for interim rates has been approved, at a cap of 50% of the requested rates for all customers, with the exception of rates to be charged to Light & Power employees for whom 100% of the rate requested is approved.
As such, we wish to advise that customers receiving bills from September 16, 2022 will see the new rates reflected in their bills. These rates will remain in place until the Commission issues a final determination on Light & Power’s substantive application for a rate review.
Light & Power affirms its commitment to customers that in the event following the substantive Rate Hearing, the Commission set rates which are lower than the interim rates, it will refund customers the difference between the interim rate and the final rate with interest. Light & Power also affirms that with the new Clean Energy Bridge plant, the impact of the rate increase will be contained or mitigated. Customers can be assured that even with the proposed rate increase, Light & Power’s rates will still be among the lowest in the Caribbean.
17% Relief to August Electricity Bill
The commissioning of the Clean Energy Bridge project and drop in international oil prices bring 17% relief to August electricity bills
The Barbados Light & Power Company (Light & Power) advises that the Fuel Clause Adjustment (FCA) for August 2022 is 39.0819 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh), a decrease of 17% over July’s FCA of 47.0855 cents per kWh.
According to the Company’s Managing Director Roger Blackman, “Light & Power’s new Clean Energy Bridge plant at Trents, St. Lucy was commissioned on June 28 and, starting this month, is delivering an overall net decrease in fuel costs. For us, the CEB has always represented a commitment to our more than 128,000 customers to stabilize electricity fuel costs and maintain system reliability as the island transitions to a renewable energy future.”
The Barbados Light & Power Company (Light & Power) advises that the Fuel Clause Adjustment (FCA) for August 2022 is 39.0819 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh), a decrease of 17% over July’s FCA of 47.0855 cents per kWh.
According to the Company’s Managing Director Roger Blackman, “Light & Power’s new Clean Energy Bridge plant at Trents, St. Lucy was commissioned on June 28 and, starting this month, is delivering an overall net decrease in fuel costs. For us, the CEB has always represented a commitment to our more than 128,000 customers to stabilize electricity fuel costs and maintain system reliability as the island transitions to a renewable energy future.”
Light & Power reminds customers of the early payment discount of 10%, which provides a further opportunity for monthly energy cost savings. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.blpc.com.bb.
“It’s important not to lose sight of the fact that we are in the midst of the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane season, which is still predicted to be a very active one,” reminded Mr. Blackman. “We encourage all residents to maintain a state of readiness - to have sufficient water and non-perishable food on hand, as well as medicines, a first aid kit and other supplies in the event of a hurricane or other damaging weather event. Stay tuned to local media and Light & Power’s social media pages throughout the season for weather updates, and important safety and storm preparedness and response information.”