NASSAU,BAHAMAS: Responding to growing consumer alarm over higher summer electricity bills, Bahamas Power and Light Company Limited (BPL) says the increase is being driven by higher electricity consumption rather than any change in electricity rates.
In a statement issued after numerous consumers took to social media to express frustration over soaring power bills, the utility said that while many households are paying more this summer, one thing has not changed: since the fall, BPL’s base rate and fuel charge have remained the same.
According to BPL, as outside temperatures rise, the demand for cooling also increases. Appliances that work to maintain a temperature, such as air conditioners, refrigerators, and deep freezers, must run longer and more often to keep homes and food cool.
Because these are among the largest consumers of electricity in most homes, increased usage during the hotter months can lead to higher monthly bills, even when electricity rates remain unchanged.
As part of BPL’s ongoing energy tips campaign, the company said its Director of Customer Service Donahue Ferguson will next week explain the relationship between summer temperatures, household electricity consumption, and monthly electricity bills through the company’s social media platforms and WhatsApp channels. Ferguson will also share practical energy-saving tips to help consumers stay comfortable while managing their electricity costs throughout the season.
However, BPL’s explanation was not accepted by many consumers who took to social media, with some expressing frustration that the higher bills are coming at a time when households are also experiencing frequent power outages.
“Reading this explanation from BPL while my power is off is just crazy,” one commenter wrote.
Another questioned whether customers receive any compensation for service interruptions, asking, “Do we ever get credit for all the time the power is off?”
Others said the explanation did not reflect their own circumstances. “Why is it so high when I’m hardly at home?” one consumer asked, while another wrote, “We were told power bills would be going down.”
BPL said that as it continues to “Build for Better,” the company remains committed to empowering consumers with the information and resources they need to better manage their energy consumption.
