Electricity prices
to go even higher
PHILIPSBURG--Electricity users, already frustrated with the ever increasing fuel clause, are in for another fee hike due to a three guilder cents increase to fuel bunkering fee.
Utilities Company GEBE Managing Director William Brooks said Tuesday that subscribers will feel the pinch of the three guilder cents fuel bunkering fee increase that came into effect on October 1. The fuel bunkering fee stood at one guilder cents since 1997.
The Island Council approved a four guilder cents fee increase in June as part of several other hikes to help St. Maarten Ports Authority (SMPA) generate its US $5.2 million annual concession fee that has to be paid to government. Also chipping in to pay to concession fee is the council-approved US $1 increase to the US $5 cruise passenger head tax.
Brooks told the press Tuesday, after signing a US $31.8 million purchase agreement with Wärtsilä for new engines, residents should prepare for the hike because the fuel suppliers will pass on the bunkering fee to GEBE and in turn this will be passed on to subscribers.
He added that exactly how high the price hike is expected to be will be announced later this week or next week by GEBE. “I wanted to say it now so people are prepared.”
