Estimate for electricity bill to commence in St Vincent amid fuel price surge

St Vincent and the Grenadines: The estimation of the electricity billing of St Vincent and the Grenadines for July are all set to commence as the fuel price have surged due to the Hurricane Beryl.

While shedding light on the electricity billing for July 2024, the St Vincent Electricity Services Ltd stated that Hurricane Beryl has caused significant disruptions which has resulted in preventing the reading of all electricity meters.

Therefore, the authorities noted that they have had to estimate the bills for most of the customers for this month. The authorities also promised to make all reasonable efforts in order to reconcile any discrepancies between estimated and actual usage in bills issued for the month of August.

“St Vincent Electricity Services Limited (VINLEC) wishes to advise all customers that due to the challenges posed by Hurricane Beryl, electricity billing for July 2024 will be estimated. The fuel surcharge rate for July is 64.51 cents,” noted St Vincent Electricity Ltd.

They also asserted that Customers in the Southern Grenadines such as Canouan, Mayreau, and Union Island, who all have received a bill for July 2024 should note that these charges will be waived due to the hurricane’s impact.

The St Vincent and the Grenadines Electricity Services Ltd added that they are committed to fully restoring the services and for the same, they have urged the citizens for their cooperation during this challenging time.

Notably, the devastating effects of Hurricane Beryl has caused the most extensive damage in the southern Grenadines Islands of Canouan, Mayreau, and Union, where it affected 90–100% of homes.

The Hurricane Beryl caused severe damages to all the areas of St Vincent and the Grenadines, as per the reports, in Bequia, over 200 houses were reported to be damaged, with damage sustained by public facilities, infrastructure, and small businesses. Meanwhile, 100% of the island’s population in Canouan is reported to have been affected with an estimated 90% of the houses severely damaged due to shortages of water and electricity.

On the other hand, in Union Island, full population of about 3,000 people have been affected by the hurricane, with nearly all houses sustaining extensive damage and key infrastructure and facilities, including hospitals, power plants, schools, shops, airport terminals and other buildings damaged.