Conservation Tips from P.U.C., Despite Pending Increase in Electricity Rate

John Avery

Electricity rates are set to go up at midnight, along with the ringing in of a new year.  The increase, however, is the second adjustment to the light bill that Belize Electricity Limited has requested within a six-month period in 2018 and energy consumers will begin feeling the pinch this “maga” season.  Those teetering on the brink of having to pay an additional twelve and a half percent in general sales tax, for consumption a hundred dollars and over, are being encouraged to conserve electricity to avoid the surcharge.  But that free advice from the chairman of the Public Utilities Commission is little or no consolation for consumers, particularly since the energy provider has received more than what it requested as an increase.  While government has written the regulator advising it to reconsider and hold off on the implementation of the new rate until June of next year, the P.U.C. is yet to respond to that request.  When asked to provide a comment on the issue, B.E.L. simply told News Five earlier today that they are aware of an objection being raised by a customer.

John Avery, Chairman, Public Utilities Commission

“In the past, when B.E.L. got excess revenues, at the first opportunity the commission rebated those excess revenues back to consumers.  The best advice we could give to consumers, particularly those who may be right on the edge, and by the way, the increase represents a six point nine percent general increase.  So if you’re ten percent below, it shouldn’t affect you.  But if you’re just at that threshold then it does affect you.  The best advice we can give to consumers at this stage in something like that is to try to conserve as much power as possible.  I mean, conservation is always an avenue open to consumers.  In fact, it is advisable there is no sense in paying for power that you don’t need.  So those customers, the best advice you can give them is to try to conserve as much power as possible and keep your bills low.  That would actually help the situation, particular during the day when Mexican prices might be the highest.  If people would consume less power then that’s less high cost power that B.E.L. has to purchase.”