Light and Power promises lower bills, discount

Light and Power has announced lower electricity bills in the short-term amid plummeting fuel prices in the fallout from the COVID pandemic.

With an expected decline in the Fuel Clause Adjustment element of the monthly bill as world oil prices slumped to below zero, BL&P Customer Care Manager Rodney Dottin promised a cumulative 44 per cent saving will be passed on to customers.

In a statement, he announced: “A significant impact of the pandemic on the global economy is the price of fuel and customers will see a notable ease in electricity rates because of the drop in world fuel oil prices.

“The Fuel Clause Adjustment (FCA) for the month of May is 16.2176 cents per kWh, compared to 24.1235 cents per kWh for April, a decrease of 33 per cent.

“Cumulatively, from March to May, there has been a 44 per cent decrease in the fuel component of customers’ bills.”

As an example, Dottin said if a residential customer using 350 kWh would be billed in April $195.03, in April for $178.76 and in May for $146.24.

Dottin also said the electric company has entered into talks with fuel suppliers on fuel hedging and has applied to the Fair Trading Commission for approval to set up a fuel hedging programme.

“Fuel hedging at a time like this can bring competitive pricing and stability to the fuel portion of customers’ bills,” he said.

Announcing an additional concession to customers during the public health crisis, the company said it has extended the payment discount to residential customers on their bills for March and April bills that are settled within 15 working days following the lifting of the national curfew.

Dottin said: “We will extend the payment discount to Domestic customers on bills
issued from  customers who have paid their bill prior to this announcement, the discounted amount will be applied as a credit to your account. There is no need to call Light & Power or for any additional action on your part.”

Light and Power’s customer service office at the Garrison is to remain closed and the customer service manager advised customers to continue utilizing “alternative, non-face-to-face options” for making queries, requesting new services and paying bills, a reference to online billing and payments.