The Worse is Yet to come as FortisTCI gives disheartening outlook on electricity bills

By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, July 5, 2022 – Residents’ reactions ranged from shock to outrage last week when their June electricity bills revealed massive jumps driven by an increase in the fuel factor for everyone. Even more shocking are the widespread instances of heightened consumption. Residents say this in particular needs immediate investigation.

But according to FortisTCI, the costs are going to get worse.

“Based on the latest information received from our fuel supplier, the cost of fuel will rise significantly over the next several months, which will cause a further increase in the fuel factor and ultimately an increase in electricity bills.” FortisTCI said.

The nation’s electricity supplier explained that the global increases across food, gas and other sectors was affecting them in the utility sector as well. Based on the outcry after the June bills residents simply cannot afford another increase, nor can they afford to live without electricity.

FortisTCI has also warned that consumption was likely to increase next month.  Hotter temperatures which may require the use of air conditioning and children now being home all day for summer break are certain to raise consumption a little.

The news is disheartening for residents who have been absorbing price increase after increase over the past several months. Also disheartening is the silence on the issue from the government. To date there has been no official response to the issue from any member of government.

Magnetic Media has sought to get some response from Otis Morris, Minister of Home Affairs which has oversight of the Energy and Utilities Commissioner and E Jay Saunders, Deputy Premier & Minister of Finance, Investment and Trade, which is the home ministry for the consumer protection department.

Meanwhile FortisTCI says its aim is to allow residents some legroom for payment.

Effective immediately there will be 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 and finally some residents will benefit from payment plans which will be done on a case-by-case basis.