GREAT BAY--Member of Parliament, Chairlady Sarah Wescot-Williams is calling on Government to take immediate action on several recommendations contained in the RAC/BTP report concerning electricity and water tariffs, questioning why consumers must continue waiting while additional analysis is being conducted.
In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina and Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Grisha Heyliger-Marten, the MP identified several matters she believes can already be addressed without awaiting the outcome of the ongoing review involving fuel supplier SOL. Her concerns include GEBE's fuel clause calculation, an estimated US$6.9 million surplus collected through the fuel clause, double charging associated with water production and the publication of monthly tariff calculations.
Wescot-Williams pointed out that the report, prepared by the Regulatory Authority of Curaçao (RAC) and the Bureau Telecommunications and Post (BTP), has been in Government's possession since April 2025. She noted that BTP, which has now been assigned responsibility as regulator of the utilities sector, has indicated that approximately another month will be required to complete its final analysis after receiving information from SOL. However, the MP maintains that several findings and recommendations contained in the report do not depend on the information being requested from the fuel supplier and should therefore not be delayed.
The MP explained that her letter had already been dispatched before she learned of the latest obstacle involving SOL and the information required for BTP's assessment. She said the development reinforces her argument that Government should proceed with measures that can be addressed independently of the ongoing analysis. "In fact, my letter was dispatched before I learned of the next road block being encountered. This latest revelation regarding SOL’s position, only strengthens my case to act on the BTP/RAC report," Wescot-Williams stated.
Wescot-Williams emphasized that electricity consumers are required to pay their GEBE bills every month, even as questions surrounding the tariff structure remain unresolved. She believes that matters already identified in the report deserve attention rather than being held up by additional investigations into other components of electricity pricing. "People are asked to pay their GEBE bills every month," Wescot-Williams continued. "Errors in the fuel clause formula, publishing the tariffs, and the surplus collected from consumers are matters Government can act on today. Waiting does not refine them; it only prolongs them."
Fuel clause formula and US$6.9 million surplus
Among the measures Wescot-Williams is urging Government to address is the correction of GEBE's fuel clause formula. According to the MP, the current calculation results in electricity consumers carrying the fuel costs associated with producing drinking water. She is questioning why this matter cannot be corrected now, given that it has already been identified in the RAC/BTP report.
Another major concern is the approximately US$6.9 million fuel clause surplus identified in the report for the period 2022 to 2024. Wescot-Williams wants Government to explain what has been done or is being considered regarding this finding and the money collected from consumers. Her letter raises the question of how this aspect of the report is being handled while the broader review of electricity pricing continues.
The MP is also calling for an end to what she describes as double charging associated with the production of drinking water. According to Wescot-Williams, electricity used for water production is being charged through both the electricity and water tariffs, an issue she believes requires Government's attention. She has linked this concern to the need for decisions regarding the water supply arrangements with Seven Seas.
Monthly publication of tariffs and Seven Seas agreement
Wescot-Williams is further advocating for the publication of monthly fuel clause calculations and electricity and water tariffs. She wants BTP to verify the calculations before the resulting charges are billed to consumers, allowing for greater transparency and regulatory oversight. The MP considers this another measure that should not have to await the completion of the additional analysis involving SOL.
Her letter also draws attention to the Water Supply Agreement with Seven Seas, which is scheduled to expire on February 13, 2027. Wescot-Williams believes preparations concerning the agreement should be addressed as part of Government's response to the report's findings. With the expiration date approaching, she is seeking clarity on the decisions that need to be made regarding the agreement and the issues involving water production costs.
Questions surrounding port throughput fee
Beyond the recommendations concerning GEBE's electricity and water tariffs, Wescot-Williams has raised questions about the port throughput fee included in the fuel price SOL charges GEBE. She pointed out that the fee forms part of the fuel costs reflected in consumers' electricity bills and is also applicable to fuel purchased at the pump. The MP wants Government to provide a clearer explanation of the basis for the charge, the port facilities SOL actually uses in return for it and the total revenue generated through the fee.
Wescot-Williams also wants Prime Minister Mercelina to explain his statement that the port throughput fee adds very little to consumers' electricity bills. She questioned whether the relatively small amount attributed to the fee adequately reflects its impact on those who ultimately pay it. "Small per kilowatt-hour perhaps, but not small for the people paying it, and the same fee applies at the pump," the MP stated.
Sixteen questions submitted to ministers
In total, Wescot-Williams' letter contains 16 questions addressed to the Prime Minister and the Minister of TEATT. The questions focus on the implementation of recommendations already contained in the RAC/BTP report, the outstanding issues surrounding electricity and water tariffs, the Seven Seas agreement and the port throughput fee. Her central concern is why Government cannot proceed with measures she believes are already sufficiently established while BTP completes its additional analysis.
Wescot-Williams expressed hope that the ministers will respond quickly, candidly and with a focus on resolving the matters raised. She maintains that the ongoing examination of SOL's information should not prevent Government from addressing recommendations that do not depend on that information. Her letter calls for clarity on what can be done now, rather than allowing the entire process to remain on hold while consumers continue receiving their monthly utility bills.
