Saba’s solar park
SABA/ST. EUSTATIUS--The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has set the maximum rates for the production and distribution of electricity in Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius as of January 1, 2021. ACM has also set the rates for drinking water for Bonaire and Statia.
ACM annually sets maximum tariffs for the production and distribution of electricity and drinking water in the Caribbean Netherlands based on the cost for producers and distributors. These companies ultimately set the rates they charge their customers in 2021, considering the maximum limits set by ACM.
The Dutch government has previously announced that for all households and businesses the temporary zero rate (“nultarief”) for having an electricity or drinking-water connection will be extended until the end of 2021. This measure does not apply to the variable rate for consumption. The general perception is that on all three islands the maximums for these tariffs will increase on January 1, 2021, mainly because of the increased cost of fuel to produce electricity and drinking water.
For Saba, the maximum consumption rate for electricity will increase from approximately US $0.22 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to approximately $0.29 per kWh. This is mainly due to the expected higher cost of electricity production. For an average household’s consumption, this means an increase of about $16 per month of the electricity bill.
In Statia, the maximum consumption rate for electricity will increase from approximately $0.25 per kWh to approximately $0.27 per kWh, also mainly due to the expected higher cost of electricity production. For an average household’s consumption this means an increase of about $6 per month.
The maximum rate for drinking water use will increase from approximately $6.63 per cubic metre to approximately $6.73. For an average household this means an increase of about $1 per month.
For Bonaire, the maximum consumption rate for electricity increases from approximately $0.23 per kWh to approximately $0.26. The upper limit for the prepaid “Pagabon” rate increases from about $0.44 per kWh to about $0.46. For an average household’s consumption this means an increase of about $6 per month on the electricity bill.
The maximum rate for the use of drinking water will increase from approximately $3.77 per cubic metre to approximately $3.81. This means an increase of about $0.50 per month for an average household.
