Mercelina links further GEBE relief to unpaid bills

Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina said further consumer relief linked to GEBE’s fuel clause would need to be considered alongside unpaid electricity bills and the utility’s fuel costs. He said GEBE has committed NAf. 1.5 million in consumer relief.

Mercelina said the government has drafted legislation to regulate electricity tariffs after the Bureau of Telecommunications and Post, working with the Regulatory Authority of Curaçao, examined GEBE’s billing calculations. He said the draft must go before the Council of Ministers, the Council of Advice and Parliament before it can take effect.

Mercelina said GEBE must include the amounts it pays fuel supplier SOL in the tariffs charged to electricity customers. He said additional relief could be considered if reported excess fuel-clause charges, put at NAf. 1.5 million, are accurate.

He said GEBE’s financial position is also affected by customers with outstanding bills accumulated over several years. Mercelina said the Bureau of Telecommunications and Post is discussing the fuel clause and electricity-tariff components with GEBE, SOL and other stakeholders to clarify the formula used to calculate consumer charges.