The government has extended its electricity bill support into a third consecutive month, with consumption during June again being subsidised.
Originally announced as a two-month measure, the relief caps fuel surcharge at $0.65 per kilowatt-hour for the accommodation sector and $0.42 per kWh for domestic customers.
During April and May, a total of EC$8.7 million in public funds was paid to ANGLEC to offset the rising fuel costs caused by ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Anguilla Focus is not owned by shareholders or investors. Members like you help fund our independent work. Click here to support us from $4/month.
Premier Cora Richardson Hodge announced the May payment during a government press conference on 15 June, saying it would allow people in Anguilla to maintain a decent standard of living.
At the time, she said the supplementary budget had set aside $15.3m in contingency funding for future fuel surcharge relief, but hoped it would not be needed.
However, ANGLEC announced in a press release on 2 July that subsidies for the month of June would be reflected in bills issued in the first week of July.
In the notice, the power company also mentioned a small adjustment to the fuel surcharge – a reduction of seven cents from $1.04 to $0.97 per kWh – that would be backdated to 4 June.
It explained that as global fuel prices continue to fluctuate, the cost of fuel used for electricity generation is reviewed regularly in accordance with the Electricity (Rates and Charges) Regulations.
The company said it “remains committed to minimising the burden on customers”, adding that it encourages people to practise energy conservation and efficiency measures.
The fuel surcharge more than doubled from $0.42 to $0.88 per kWh on 1 April, then ANGLEC announced a second sharp increase from $0.88 to $1.04 per kWh on 29 May.
The Anguilla Electricity Company (ANGLEC) is a publicly traded company in which the government controls the majority of the shares.
