BELCO Files Submission To Raise Base Rates
Bermuda Electric Light Company Limited [BELCO] today filed a submission with the Energy Commission to increase its rates for electricity service.
The company said, “The filing is in accordance with the Bermuda Energy Commission’s June 2014 directive for BELCO to file a Base Rate Case no later than September 1, 2015. The filing proposes an increase to the Base Rate which is the kilowatt hour [kWh] cost, and the tier-structured Facilities Charge to better reflect the actual cost of service. The changes would increase the monthly bill for the average residential customer using 600 kWh per month by approximately 7.8%, those using less would have less of an increase.
“The average increase would be approximately 14.8% for commercial customers. Increases for the largest commercial customers, “Demand Customers”, will be based on their efficient use of the electricity system ranging from approximately 8% to over 20%. However, if the price of oil remains at current levels, all customers using the same amount of electricity as they did in September 2014, even with the increase, would still see a lower total bill compared with one-year ago.
“BELCO has invested a total of $375 million into electricity infrastructure since 2000 to maintain the reliable, first-world electricity system that Bermuda expects. For 2012, CARILEC, the association of Caribbean electric utilities, recognized BELCO as the Best Overall Utility because of its system performance relative to its peers.
“BELCO’s investment in electricity infrastructure has been largely funded by operating cash flow and shareholders’ retained earnings, this includes $66 million since the last Base Rate filing covering 2011, 2012 and 2013, and $22 million in 2014. This high level of investment has been made possible by Ascendant Group Limited shareholders, who have been carrying the investment load under BELCO’s equity structure.
“The high level of investment has been maintained against a backdrop of an 11% decline in electricity sales since 2010, primarily as a result of six years of a progressively weakened economy, starting in 2008, and the significant Despite sustained efforts to reduce operating costs, and a substantial 65% reduction in dividends paid to shareholders in order to retain more of the Company’s earnings and cash-flow for capital investment, BELCO cannot sustain these levels of investment with its present earnings.
“The Company will also not be able to attract the additional investment required to fund major initiatives that are needed to carry out energy reform and transform Bermuda’s energy infrastructure. On-going investment is the basis for providing first-world electricity service to Bermuda, a fundamental requirement for sustaining a developed economy.
“As part of the filing to the Energy Commission, BELCO has submitted a professionally prepared Cost of Service Study and Cost of Capital Report, which estimates that a suitable return for BELCO, in line with peer island utilities, should be 10.5%; this is compared with the 1.81% BELCO Chief Executive Officer Walter Higgins said, “If BELCO’s capital structure had included long-term debt, given its low returns and continuing capital expenditure, the Company would have struggled to service the debt. BELCO has to pay the market price for capital whether it comes from shareholders or financial institutions.
“BELCO recognizes the challenges faced by businesses and residents since the onset of the recession and, as a result, has delayed seeking a rate increase for as long as it could. Unlike some other businesses which can reduce costs by varying their products based on sales volume, the electric utility business cannot, as it has high fixed costs for equipment and maintenance of equipment in order to deliver a safe and reliable electrical supply.”
Mr. Higgins added, “In areas where we can, we have done our best to reduce costs by controlling wages, changing and reducing benefits, implementing early retirements, retaining unfilled vacancies and continual operational efficiency improvements, including reducing metering losses and energy diversions. We are always actively looking at ways to better manage costs, and certainly we are looking at future infrastructure that would enable greater efficiencies for both the utility and customers with the benefit of greater stability and affordability.”
The company added, “BELCO’s residential tariff is based on an inclining kWh rate structure and tiered Facilities Charge, meaning that customers with lower consumption will be affected less than those who use more energy. At the current Fuel Adjustment Rate of 11.5¢ per kWh, all customers using the same amount of electricity as they did in September 2014, even with the increase, would still see a lower total bill compared with one-year ago.
“These increases would only apply to the base rate and Facilities Charge and not the Fuel Adjustment Rate. The Fuel Adjustment Rate is a pass through charge based on the cost of oil and from which BELCO does not derive any profit. The overall cost of oil to BELCO includes the purchase price of oil, freight, storage, pumping, UNESCO World Heritage Import Tax [Towne of St.George] of $0.0025 per litre [which was added in 2014], and Bermuda Customs Duty, which increased from $15.10 per barrel to $23.00 per barrel in April 2015, increasing the overall average monthly residential bill by approximately $8.00.
“BELCO must continue to invest in generation, maintenance and delivery infrastructure in order to provide the first-world electricity system critical to Bermuda’s economy. The hosting of the America’s Cup events, plans to revitalize and invest in Bermuda’s hotel and hospitality industry and, the need to continue to provide safe and reliable service to Bermuda’s global financial services industry are three examples of why maintaining a high level of reliability and service is essential to the future prosperity of Bermuda.”
Tell BELCO to go to hell!
I would tell Belco to go to hell if I actually thought that would help??? But can you come up with any other idea on what we can do to stop these types of increases???
Ya stop paying the directors all that money
Belco has no compaction da
Could always go solar, people I know seem happy using it.
Yup
Proper investment in their infrastructure less dividend payouts, less buying of outside gas and air conditioning companies and use that money to upgrade the plant! Open your damn eyes
Or you could just use less power.
But Christopher “knows everything” Notorious said 5000 people left so that’s why the rates are high. Doesn’t make sense. Who is correct?
Clearly you don’t understand.
http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/this-is-what-the-utility-death-spiral-looks-like
I noticed a distinct jump in my bill this month which coincides with the expectation of warmer weather. However, the temperature has been much cooler than normal so I haven’t put on my ceiling fan or airconditioner yet. So what changed to increase my bill by $200??????
Definitely got to get solar.
Yup!! And you might start saving money 10 yrs from now???
Was that a trick question? One would assume that you would start saving money from the day the system was turned on! (and based on the last numbers I looked at the panels would have paid for themselves in less than 5 years).
Did you factor in maintenance costs?? That is always the hidden secret!!! Do some more real research, it might help???
Solar electricity systems have no moving parts, and typically a 25 year warranty on power production, I think you need to do some more research, it’s a fantastic investment!
Call the guys at BE Solar, they did a great job on my solar system and my Belco bills are a distant memory
It may not have moving parts but it has electronic circuit boards that needs a specialist to trouble shoot when circuitry fails.
Specialist time and labour,replacement electronics, with duty and shipping can set back any cost advantage solar would have in Bda.
In the U.S. it is a different story, labour rates and shipping lower or free and electronic parts cost less.
So,all you need is one failure incident to set you back to a longer break even point of time.
It’s also the installation costs, etc- sure you start saving money on your electric bills right away, but you have to buy the panels, get them mounted, connected, etc.- which all costs money. If you calculate all of that, your solar PV doesn’t start to save you money in any real sense until quite a bit down the road. Not saying you shouldn’t, but you need to be realistic.
You still not figured punctuation out yet???
This is pure folly. I will be building my own power plant and provide electrical power to the island for free before I pay more for belco’s unreliable power.
I bet…along with your air strip on your private island…Wont hold my breath.
For the attention of Come Correct, BBIRYC is an established club that caters to a sophisticated nautical crowd. Most of our philanthropic exploits go without fanfare or press releases but our Commodore is exploring the viability of starting a new power supply company that will offer free electricity to those who need it. As for the air strip on the private island, the runway has just been resurfaced at no cost to the club members thanks to the deep pockets of our Commodore.
And this fabulously altruistic organization is going to have the funds to pay for the transmission lines, transformers, etc? It’s a very simplistic view of electricity that most people here have because of the prevalence of emergency generators. Who’s going to pay for those electric lines? You going to use them for free, and BELCO and any regulator will be okay with that? Then there’s more- like power quality, frequency, etc.- it’s complex stuff. But, if you genuinely can do it for less, then bravo to you, but this is a lot of bluster from someone with more dollars than sense.
If Walton wants something that is march-worthy…..
Belco.. get off the diesel fumes!!!!
To: BELCO Chief Executive Officer Walter Higgins
Where is Belco plan in Generating sustainable energy for the country ?
Need 21st Century new management at BELCO! not a share holders Management
If you want lower electricity prices, then you need more people living in Bermuda. Everyone arguing against immigrant-friendly policies in Bermuda is, indirectly, arguing in favor of these higher electricity prices.
Shut up!
Truth hurts eh?
Thank you James, you nailed it!!!!
James, the issue isn’t about wanting lower rates…it’s about not wanting HIGHER rates….even though I can afford whatever BELCO throws at me.
And ya full off S!@#.
Wish I could just increase my rates by 10-30%. And this is after they just increased their facilities charge last year. Now they want another 20% increase on top of that.
I wonder how much they pay those Directors.
How much of it is to pay for their workers who spend the majority of the day at home watching movies and playing video games while on the clock?
Or writing opinion pieces and making making signs on Word Art.
This is absurd. Between Belco and health insurance their will be no money left for improving the economy. You can’t keep raising prices during a recession. What the f*** is wrond with Bermuda?
Agreed Sara, I only hope you were not one of those 1400 that signed the mammography pertition???
Hell no! I have seen the research and what other jurisdictions have done. I would NEVER get a mammogram period! So much radiation. I will go to the states and pay $250 out of my pocket to get the much safer thermography scan when I turn 40 thanks. Yearly mammograms starting at age 40 is so overdoing it. Overtesting is rampant in Bermuda, I see it every day in my field. That is part of the reason our health insurance continues to soar. I barley use my insurance yet it continues to rise about 12% year after year. Bunch of bullsh..
*You can’t keep raising prices during a recession. What the f*** is wrong with Bermuda ?*
2 things .
Greed , and the totally unacceptable thought of having to settle for less than what was being raked in in the past.
And it goes for all sectors , not just BELCO
It’s only the sectors that have you by the balls that can continue to do this. Other sectors such as retail can’t continue to gouge because they no people will easily do without their stuff. However, health insurance, energy, and food are all necessities so they can be greedy scumbags.
You hit the nail on the head!!!
Belco has not increased its base rate since 2012 and then it raised it by 1.5%. How many other Bermuda businesses have been that restrained?
Well, mine for a start.
They may not have raised the base rate since 2012 but they sure raised the facilities charge.
Bulls***, Belco increased their facilities charges on most of its customers.
And other than necessities based services like energy, health insurance, health care and food nobody else can raise their prices because people can do without all the other consumer crap.
These rates are ridiculous – BELCO are quite literally proposing that everyone should pay more for their power just so they can keep their shareholders happy with the historical dividends they have been used to. BELCO/Descendant has lost millions of dollars over the past few years subsidising loss-making subsidiaries such as Purenergy – why should ratepayers be made to cover these losses?! The government/energy commission should be there to represent the public not to ensure BELCO is never exposed to financial hardship.
The proposed increases should be rejected by the Energy Commission and BELCO should be forced to reduce their operating costs, or face making a loss until they develop a coherent plan to develop an affordable, sustainable energy supply for Bermuda.
The government should pull out all the plugs on increasing competition in the energy sector – reduce the administrative costs of distributed solar, install solar across all government roofs (if managed properly this could actually help reduce the net annual deficit within a few years), issue tenders to get the airport solar farm up and running within the next 12 months, and an offshore wind farm in the pipeline before 2020 and get Bermuda heading in the right direction.
The rest of the world is flying ahead with cheap renewable energy and we’re sat here scratching our heads wondering why our dino-electricity is still so expensive!
Well I’m gonna submit a proposal to Gov to up my pay to offset whatever the hell belco is doing. They are a monopoly in this country and are making hay whether the sun sunshines or not.
Is the beginning of the utility death spiral?
http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/this-is-what-the-utility-death-spiral-looks-like
This quote could be coming from BELCO in a few years, though hopefully there is still time to change:
“When unveiling today’s dismal earnings, RWE’s Terium admitted the utility had invested too heavily in fossil fuel plants at a time when it should have been thinking about renewables: “I grant we have made mistakes. We were late entering into the renewables market — possibly too late.”
Oh please no! I can’t bear it. Having spent c.$8,000 on installing split system air conditioners 3 years ago, I now can’t afford to use them.
Ah there was your mistake! Split systems are notoriously inefficient. They are more efficient than through the window units, but that is about it.
What is a more efficient alternative to a split system?
If you want cheaper electricity just invent a new way of making power cos it ain’t solar or wind. Until then you are stuck so u may as well smile. Belco is only in trouble because 5000 people left Bermuda. The rest of us will have to pay or Belco will go under and Bda will have zero power. So stop moaning.
Doubt it. Belco’s plant is so outdated people leaving the island are doing them a favor. Less load on their infrastructure, Now they don’t have to run as much inefficient equipment, pay less maintenance hours on the shoddy equipment and use less fuel to run said equipment.
You obviously can’t grasp simple economics.
Yes BELCo’s engines are outdated. Some are so old they shouldn’t even still be running. But they are because the money to take them apart, remove them, and replace them isn’t just going to fall out of the sky.
If there is one thing I can almost guarantee, it is that if 5000 people suddenly arrived on the island, Belco rates would not go down.
i will vote for the party that proposes buying belco as an investment for the country versus an airport any day…..
(Nationalization (American English), (British and Commonwealth spelling nationalisation) is the process of taking a private industry or private assets into public ownership by a national government or state.[1] Nationalization usually refers to private assets.
)
That sounds like a positively terrible idea.
If I could trust the politicians not to screw it all up in some shape or form, I’d be on board with the idea of nationalizing Belco.
However, considering the struggles with public transport, refuse collection and other govt services,… last thing we need is more inefficiency.
i would agree, if people did not need ac or internet conection. no body gives a hoot about garbage if it’s not near them, or public transportation , but take away cold beer, ac, or internet and people will turn on the staff and unions for not doing right. so belco will be the only gov dep in good standing as everyone with out exeptions will hold belco accountable. if belco ever joined a general strike and no one had power i trust people would turn on the unions and staff in a blink. belco can strike so long people have power example!
OMG, can you see it now?? Government does a barely credibly job with Tynes Bay, can you imagine what would happen if it nationalized the grid?? That would be the worst option ever.
Follow the money.
Simple.
Shalom.
I brought my solar panels in 3 Years ago , with the government rebate of $5000 my solar panels paid for themselves in 18 months ! My last Belco bill was $94 ! And that including the apartment !
Recently, I visited a friend in Vermont. Their power , including fuel surcharge, was 11 cents per KWH.
Our cost from Belco is closer to 46 cents per KWH. This is completely and utterly unsustainable.
As Bermudians, we accept things are approx. twice to 2.5 times more expensive. But over 4 times more expensive for electricity? A massive drag on our economy. A disincentive to begin a business or expand one.
I suspect if we look deeper, the cost per man hour plus sick leave and benefits are over 4 times what is offered in the U.S. I also suspect the pension benefits are sinking Belco. This was all negotiated years ago with their union.
We are living with those negotiations and their results now.
Why don’t Belco explain this to us, their customers? We have a right to know as their charges are sinking us in our own homeland.
What is the cost of living in Vermont? What are their workers paid? How much does it cost to transport fuel to their power plants compared to Bermuda?
EXACTLY. Someone needs to do an analysis of what percentage of average paychecks are taken up by the average electric bill, and compare that to other places. Seriously, in that context I have to wonder how we’re doing.
All during the period the price of oil was falling Bermuda never benefited.
The price of gas never went down and our Belco bills never saw any declines.
We continue to pay for the dividends paid out to the shareholders and government continues to take it’s tax off the top when it comes to the cost of fuel.
Now down at the east end near the airport there was talk of the development of a solar park; but with the plans of the government to turn over the revenues of the airport and presumedly all the economic potential of the area to the Canadians; this too will be a lost to Bermuda. In the mean time we will continue to be the victims of high fuel prices no matter how low the price of oil dips and the shareholders and their families will laugh all the way to the bank.
Really Alvin? What were you paying last May for electricity and what are you paying now? The Fuel Adjustment Charge has dropped from 18c a kilowatt hour to 12 cents in that time. I paid $88 for a studio apartment last April. This April my bill was $51. Why don’t you check your bill Alvin?
The shareholders take us all for fools. Their effort here has naught to do with sustaining business capability, but more to make up for the fall in the share price of the Ascendant Group. They are concerned only with their dividend check at the end of the reporting period which, by the numbers they tell us, shows the share value as being down by about 88%. That depends on which day they made the observation, so… The shareholders aim to make that loss up offof tthe consumer.
Mr. Higgins, asserts that even with the increase that consumers would be paying less, but that is predicated on oil prices remaining the same. What he does not offer is that global oil production is down, so the cost of oil is set to increase. Stand by. No saving for you lot.
He’s talking the talk about ways and means to keep expenses at BELCo, in check. Sure, that’s the right thing to say, Mate. I am yet to see a BELCo worker wanting. Even if they hate their jobs some of the BELCo workers remain because they are rewarded handsomely. They ain’t gonna give that fat check up. Why not come clean, Mr. Higgins, and call it what it is?
lol, wow thanks BELCo.
SMH
So BELCo claims that the fuel adjustment is just to offset the cost of fuel and they don’t make any profit from it. Except now they’re using the decrease in the price of fuel as the excuse to raise rates. Am I missing something?
Yes.. Govt raised the Fuel Tax April 1 to help lower the National Debt. April 1 is when my Fuel Adjustment ceased to change each month. When and if Gas prices climb again, we all will suffer. And Govt makes off with a greased palm. Fuel is one of the largest revenue streams for Govt at the moment, because it is an essential item. Govt always goes quiet when it comes to complaints on the tax imposed on fuel.
That tax hadn’t been changed in over twenty years. It was time ages ago to change that- but now it’s a necessity due to the financial straits we’re in. It could be a whole lot worse. Two words for you: Income Tax.
HERE’S AN IDEA!!! How about all of you BIU Pied Pipers and all the rest who have sooo much free time during the day to picket, and march, and down tools, and the rest of the disruptive annoyances that cripple the island, how about you walk to Serpentine Road and camp out with a microphone in front of Belco’s offices! Anything to advance our economy by government and you are sauntering down to Front Street Cenotaph ready to strike. Where’s the will to strike against Belco? Go home and disconnect all your electrical items en mass if you want change… Or is that too much like personal sacrifice and the only person you hurt is yourselves?
Sounds just like the benefit to the island of your random strikes. There goes that Belco complaint…NEXT!!
Solar, Wind, Wave and Nuclear Power are all viable alternatives!!!
If You haven’t, then You really need to start looking at these seriously.
Oil Will Run Out, it is Not an infinite source of energy.
Hopefully this will be rejected as we are still in recession. If the Shareholders are only looking for profit than they should reacess their product and staff.
Can BELCO or Shareholders really try see the true picture and why are they using the Americas Cup as a form of an excuse? Doing the maths says they will make more money oops have already started to make that extra paper from these visitors.
We need to get the Commission to delay tjis increase til at least 2017- 2018
It’s hard to feel sorry for Belco. Belco is not losing money.
In 2013 they made net income of $5,560,000
In 2014 they made a net income of $9,716,000
Their net income increased 75% but apparently that’s not enough for Belco. They now want to increase their rates another 30%.
It’s time for the Energy Commission to tell Ascendant they have to spin-off Belco as a stand-alone entity. No more using Belco’s dominance and profits to subsidize the rest of the under performing group.
Cue the protesters. Now this is something to march and protest against. What we allow will continue
GOOGLE ARUBA’S ENERGY POLICY!
They have seen declines of 20% in the cost of power due to incorporation of large scale renewables.
See http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/poverty-matters/2014/feb/10/wind-of-change-energy-policy-caribbean which outlines changes in Aruba and some other islands.
That article goes over all the benefits so is bias in that regards, but is this tactic viable for Bermuda? Or do we not have any political will to do it?
The Government were offered free consultation by the Carbon War Room, just like Aruba. But the Bermuda Government declined. Too many shareholders in positions of power maybe?
I’m lost here, you lowered one fee for some and raised one for some last year, fuel prices went down and now you want the public to pay more, I may not be the sharpest tool in the shed but I don’t get it. My electricity bill is about the same as my grocery bill, and I’m not a hog and do try to use less. Same as the hospital stop paying the top floor more money than they deserve!
Not to derail this, but how much money do they “deserve?” Got an amount in mind?
I think BELCO is doing a great job.
Belco men are doing a great job, no one has any problem with the workmen, there is a problem with the top floor!
Ok. I’m ready to boycott Belco. No AC this summer.
These increases are ridiculous. 29%? They’re living in a fantasy land. Oil prices have reduced, and are the lowest they have been for years.
The base rate has nothing to do with the cost of fuel. The cost of fuel is set by Government through the Fuel Adjustment Charge and is passed through directly to the consumer. The base rate pays for everything else.
The increases are absurd. 20%? 29%?
Like I said before, fantasy land.
Anyone can “manage” a company with unlimited funds. Consumers are not a bottomless pit. I would understand and support a reasonable increase, but these numbers are ridiculous.
The cost of fuel is not set by Government.
Plugged in must go to bed as soon as it gets dark; he or she certainly don’t watch no Tv and must get a cold shower every morning they forget to turn the water heater on. No I do not have any sympathy for BELCO shareholders who are crying poverty while the rest of us carry them on our backs.
In similar news; Chris Famouss is very quiet on the media.
Or is that Mr. Nortorious……..
Don’t bite the hand that feeds yah………..
As a protest, I am going to turn off my lights when I leave the room.
Who approves these rate increases every month?? Why are they to scared to just say NO to Belco? Raising the cost, the rates, the fuel adjustment only puts more strain on people weather they employed or not. How come consumer affairs and Govt dont take a more proactive stance? I remember Paula Cox as Premier saying she will table a motion to freeze basic necessities from being raised. Oh my what the opposite, Market Place the #1 suspect raised everything day and night week in and week out. Why are you so greedy? But will nickle and dime everyone else if we tendered a job estimate…………
The rates don’t increase every month. You may be thinking of the fuel adjustment, that rate changes every month, but doesn’t always increase. This is about your base rate. Let’s not get hysterical, emotions always read better than fact, so it’s hard to let go of that.
A review of Ascendant’s audited financial statements for 2014 shows that Belco made a profit of $9,716,000 while all their other various unregulated companies made a loss of $3,828,000.
They can’t just raise their prices in their other companies. Too much competition. They’d lose customers to their more efficient competitors. So what do they propose? Increase the rates Belco charges to subsidize the losses from their other companies.
Its time the Energy Commission grew a backbone and said enough. Divest Belco from the rest of the operations and let them stand on their own merits.
Greenrock Director Dr. Judith Landsberg made the following observation about Bermuda pursuing LNG:
The fracking boom in the US has made LNG look like an attractive option today, but snatching at it like a child grasping at low-hanging Christmas tree baubles is not a long-term solution; replacing our aging fossil-fuel plant with more of the same is inertia, not an energy policy. We can and should replace the diesel fuel oil engines that will be retired with untapped options: conservation, smart meters, and energy efficiency. All of these require some investment – this is a sounder investment for the long term than LNG.
• http://www.greenrock.org/news/blog/1121-why-the-conflict-in-ukraine-will-have-an-impact-on-bermuda-electricity-prices
This is an ideal time to be completely transparent about our future energy generation options and the collective costs associated with each option. Amplify public access to this important information before we make significant energy generation policy decisions.
Department of Energy – please publish online all the information that you are referencing as you make recommendations to our policy makers. Allow our community to review the data you have accumulated.
Also, where can we access the public consultation information you have been gathering at your recent energy summits – is the material generated during those sessions outlining our community voices online and available yet?
BELCO – please publish online the various energy generation scenarios considered in the past three years through public and private consultations along with your Integrated Resource Plan (IRP).
Help us understand your position as a private sector monopoly by providing us with the data that you have access to and are using when you advocate for price increases and lobby our government representatives.
What other options can we consider that will generate electricity, a fair ROI for investors while being fair to our Bermuda consumer and future generations?
How soon can Bermuda work with Richard Branson’s Carbon War Room initiative (http://carbonwarroom.com) to create a sustainable energy generation future free of fossil fuels?
Condescend much? Always so simple. I bet a better way would be to engage the stakeholders instead of calling them idiots- or ‘children grasping at low-hanging Christmas tree baubles’.