Forget Fuel Factor; Why is My Consumption so High?

Turks and Caicos Residents Reject FortisTCI Statement on High Electricity Bills

By Deandrea Hamilton

Editor

#TurksandCaicos, July 5, 2022 – “The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict continues to affect the supply and cost of fuel worldwide, and significant increases in fuel prices are expected to continue in the upcoming months. This translates into higher electricity bills.

We empathize with the challenges customers are facing due to higher electricity bills at this time. While the cost of fuel is beyond our control, we want to help ease the burden as much as possible. We remain committed to keeping customers informed about these global trends.”

FortisTCI on Friday issued a statement, contained within were these words meant to explain that the war in Ukraine, though far flung from these tiny islands and cays, continues to have disastrous trickle down impact including driving up the cost of oil.

Residents however, responded in public forums and to Magnetic Media that while they anticipated the fuel factor rate on their electricity bills would have been higher, they are stumped about why their consumption rose by hundreds of kilowatt hours.

“My usage has gone up 538 kWh when every day is the same in my house.  Been working from home and homeschooling since March 2020 and this is the highest bill I’ve had in the 10 years I’ve lived in my home,” said one Providenciales customer.

Many shared similar accounts; firm on the point that habitually, nothing had changed and they believe FortisTCI is either taking advantage of the oil crises to boost its bottom line or that the system of the energy provider has experienced a glitch.

“Every light in my house in on a timer.  I have switched from central Ac to split units and I only use one of them every day.  FortisTCI has a problem and they need to hurry up and send their “our bad” email because these bill can’t be real.”

Across the nation, there are questions about the consumption hours, which have rocketed.  We did enquire of FortisTCI about that fact at the onset; and upon receiving their statement which still does not address that particular issue, we have asked again.

There has been no response to date.

Meanwhile, we are receiving many angry reports.  One woman said, even at her highest ever consumption, her bill came in under the current bill which for her and her young son is $1,200.  No one is home all day.  I am not doing anything differently.  She calls herself a creature of habit.  And hers is a common refrain.  Another family said, when they noticed the trend for higher electricity bills in April, they made the switch from an electric to gas stove.  Their bill nearly tripled despite; also a common claim that even behaviours to scale back have worked expensively in the reverse.

“Due to fuel price increases in the month of May, the fuel factor for Grand Turk and Salt Cay customers increased from $0.1672 to $0.2053, and from $0.1962 to $0.2405 for Providenciales, North and Middle Caicos customers, respectively. These represent an increase of 23%, which are reflected on June electricity bills. For example, if the fuel factor on May’s bill was $100, this would change to $123 on June’s bill, provided that the customer’s consumption remained the same month over month.

The fuel factor rate for customers on South Caicos was $0.2299 in May and an increase in the rate is also expected. The fuel factor rate is calculated monthly as outlined in the Electricity Ordinance. As FortisTCI is a regulated electricity company, the fuel factor rate is sent to the TCI Government’s Energy and Utilities Commissioners Office each month for authentication,” explained FortisTCI.

In another instance, a unit was empty all of June, but said the customer – the consumption was three times more.  How, she asked?

Residents at the Millennium Heights community meeting on Thursday were calling for real representation; for those responsible to face FortisTCI on their behalf.

There are at least two government agencies which can investigate; they sit under two government ministries.  The Consumer Protection Department which falls under E Jay Saunders and the Ministry of Finance and the Energy and Utilities Commissioner, who falls within the ministry of Home Affairs, where Otis Morris is the cabinet minister.

Fortis makes a promise about the unexpected and exorbitant bills…

“The following measures are now in effect:

No penalties on late payments during the months of July and August 2022.  No disconnections for balances less than 60 days overdue from July to August 2022.  Payment plans on a case-by-case basis.

To further assist customers, FortisTCI will launch a series of interactive online educational sessions on how to manage energy use.

We encourage customers to keep track of their electricity use by signing up for My Online Account. Visit www.fortistci.com to register. My Online Account allows customers to set budget limits on their electricity usage and receive alerts when their consumption limit is approaching.”

FortisTCI said sadly the trend, according to their supplier, will not change when it comes to the historically high fuel costs and the company pointed to alternative energy as a way out.

“We believe that renewable energy is a pathway to lower energy costs and we are working with TCI Government to implement supportive regulations. As your partner in energy, we will continue to expand our renewable energy programs and reduce our dependence on diesel fuel.”

Residents, were advised that to be announced are dates for online energy use educational sessions.