NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC) is defending a sharp rise in electricity bills, insisting the increase stems from higher fuel costs and not company profit, amid mounting public complaints from frustrated consumers.
“The Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC) understands that every dollar counts — especially during the summer months when higher temperatures often result in increased electricity use from air conditioning and other cooling appliances,” the utility said in a statement.
GBPC explained that the fuel charge on electricity bills, a variable pass-through rate, climbed from $0.1884 per kWh in July to $0.2353 per kWh in August. The adjustment, it said, was driven by greater reliance on diesel-powered generation.
“It is important to note that GBPC does not profit from the fuel charge. This charge is directly tied to the actual cost of fuel used to generate electricity, purchased power, and temporary generation costs. Any changes, whether an increase or decrease, reflect a direct pass-through of those costs,” the company stated.
The explanation comes as many customers have taken to social media to voice their anger, describing bills they say are unreasonably high and in some cases inaccurate. Some residents pointed out that the fuel surcharge has nearly doubled compared to last year, while others demanded corrections to what they believe are erroneous meter readings.
One resident wrote that the “poorer the service, the higher the bill looks,” while another said an elderly man was nearly in tears trying to figure out how to cover his bill on a fixed income. Others questioned why bills appeared to rise even as they reduced their electricity use by cutting back on air conditioning and turning off breakers.
GBPC acknowledged the financial strain, adding: “We recognize that these increases can be challenging, and we remain committed to improving efficiency and working towards more affordable energy costs for our customers.”
