Ottley, Kotai review Aruba electricity pricing during WEB visit

Members of Parliament Omar Ottley and Viren Kotai visited Aruba’s water and electricity utility, WEB, on 24 September while attending the Parlatino convention in Aruba, The People’s Tribune reported. The newspaper said WEB officials presented the utility’s energy operations, sustainability goals and future plans.

The People’s Tribune reported that WEB’s base electricity rate was about Cg 0.37 per kilowatt-hour, compared with about Cg 0.25 per kilowatt-hour in Sint Maarten. Aruba’s rate includes fuel costs, while Sint Maarten consumers are charged a separate fuel clause, according to the newspaper’s report of the meeting.

A GEBE bill presented during the discussion showed 867 kWh of use at Cg 0.25 per kWh and a total charge of about Cg 671.84, including a Cg 425.84 fuel clause, The People’s Tribune reported. Using WEB’s stated rate and a Cg 12.50 connection fee, the newspaper reported that 867 kWh in Aruba would cost about Cg 333.29.

WEB officials told the MPs that dependence on heavy fuel oil leaves electricity costs exposed to global fuel-price changes, according to The People’s Tribune. The newspaper also reported that WEB discussed fuel hedging and a move towards alternative energy sources.

Ottley and Kotai said they would remain in contact with WEB, conduct further research and examine possible legislative or policy changes for Sint Maarten, The People’s Tribune reported.