Dominica electricity tariff changes to take effect Nov. 1
Key Points(5)
- Dominica's electricity customers will see changes to their bills beginning Nov.
- 1 after the Independent Regulatory Commission approved a new tariff structure for the island's sole electricity provider, DOMLEC.
- DOMLEC announced the approval Wednesday but did not disclose the new rates.
- The company said the tariff review is intended to support its ability to maintain reliable service and meet rising operational costs.
- The last tariff review was conducted in 2007, although the Electricity Act requires a review every three years.
Dominica's electricity customers will see changes to their bills beginning Nov. 1 after the Independent Regulatory Commission approved a new tariff structure for the island's sole electricity provider, DOMLEC.
DOMLEC announced the approval Wednesday but did not disclose the new rates. The company said the tariff review is intended to support its ability to maintain reliable service and meet rising operational costs.
The last tariff review was conducted in 2007, although the Electricity Act requires a review every three years.
“Despite the inflation over the last two decades, our fixed charges for operations and maintenance haven’t been adjusted since; this change allows us to address needs that allow us to deliver a better service,” DOMLEC General Manager Dwayne Cenc said.
The IRC said the new structure includes lower electricity rates during off-peak periods. Before the changes take effect, DOMLEC is expected to conduct public outreach to help customers understand the new tariff and how it could affect their bills.
The commission's Executive Director Justin Kase said the IRC will monitor customer bills from November through the end of the year and potentially beyond to assess whether the expected effects of the tariff are reflected in bills and whether DOMLEC is meeting the revenue targets established through the review.
“That follow-up matters, because a tariff review is ultimately tested outside the consultation room. Customers experience it through the bills they receive each month,” Kase said.
The tariff changes come as Dominica continues its transition toward a renewable energy-based electricity system, including the incorporation of geothermal power into DOMLEC's energy mix.
DOMLEC said geothermal energy, an indigenous renewable resource, is helping reduce the electricity system's dependence on imported diesel fuel, which is vulnerable to fluctuations in international fuel prices.
Felix Julien, DOMLEC's business development engineer, said the increased use of geothermal power is already helping to reduce the impact of fuel costs on customers.
“Geothermal is already helping to cushion the high cost of fuel, and we are seeing our prices starting to stabilise due to its increased production,” Julien said.
Dominica is also investing in renewable energy, battery energy storage and related infrastructure as part of its goal of achieving 100% renewable electricity generation by 2030.
DOMLEC said it will provide additional information about the new tariff in the coming weeks, including explanations of customer classes, how electricity bills are calculated, the fuel surcharge, and Time-of-Use considerations.
The company is also encouraging customers to review their electricity consumption and take steps to manage their energy use, including switching off appliances when they are not in use and using energy-efficient equipment.
