Critics knock BL&P rate hike bid

Strong objections are mounting to Light & Power’s bid to seek a hike in electricity rates.

The Caribbean Movement for Peace and Integration (CMPI) and communications consultant Joy-Ann Haigh have both called on the electric utility to pull back its application to the Fair Trading Commission lodged last week.

General Secretary of CMPI David Denny made clear Monday that his group won’t support the move which he suggests will add to the financial burdens of Barbadians struggling to cope with major economic fallout triggered by COVID-19.

“Barbadian people for many years have supported the Light & Power and therefore the Light and Power company has a duty to respect what Is happening in Barbados and I know that the management of BLP knows it is impossible for public servants, private sector workers and the unemployed in Barbados to cover any further costs,” he said.

Insisting that Light & Power had a social duty to Barbadians, Denny also rallied the support of trade unions and the Ministry of Labour to take a stand against the hike.

“We also want to call on the labour movement to object to this process,” he said. “We also want to call on the Labour ministry to object and to defend the workers of Barbados in relation to any increases on our light bills.”

The electricity monopoly applied for an 11.9 per cent increase in electricity rates that if granted, would see Barbadians paying between five per cent and 20 per cent more on their electricity bills.

The company said this was only its second application for a rate hike in 40 years and gave the assurance that it had taken into consideration the rise in the cost of living by designing rates to contain the impact on customers’ bills.

Haigh suggested the move is “unconscionable” and will have a domino effect.

“I can only pray that the FTC, being customers of BL&P themselves would turn down such a request at this time,” she said.

Haigh, who identified herself as a business woman and mother insisted that the timing was all wrong.

“This is like the nail in the coffin for us,” she declared. “Barbadians cannot carry any more financial burden. We are already under serious mental pressure trying to cope in this pandemic and remain COVID-free. Not to mention people with no jobs.”

The consultant, a former communications manager for the Barbados Water Authority, proposed that instead of a rate increase, utility companies should instead launch a massive conservation campaign.

She said: “They need to sensitize people on how to lower their light bills as well as conduct energy audits for their customers with high bills.Similarly, the Barbados Water Authority should do the same.Both of these utility companies should seek to educate their customers more on how to use less electricity and water and pay less, not how to pay more.”

Haigh also stressed that solar/renewable energy is the way to go as many countries race to lower their greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and be climate-neutral by 2050 in accordance with the Paris Agreement.

She acknowledged that that renewable energy investments for homes are costly,and encouraged small renewable energy companiesto partner with finance companies to offer reasonable monthly payments to middle and lower-income families.

Haigh urged the island’s 130,000 BL&P customers to voice their concerns to the utility company and to the FTC.

“I am only one out of 130,000 customers and this will affect not only me but all customers, our families, our livelihoods and our lives if this rate increase is approved at this time,” she said.
(SD)