Kralendijk, 22 December 2023, – Water en Energiebedrijf Bonaire N.V. (WEB) announces that the rates effective from January 1, 2024, have been established and published.
Every year, the rates that the producer may charge WEB and the rates that WEB may charge consumers are determined and announced by the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM). On December 8th 2023, the ACM established these cost-covering rates that WEB may charge from January 1, 2024 (*).
To keep the rates affordable, WEB applies for subsidies for each tariff year. Subsequently, taking these subsidies into account, the rates for all consumers have been determined.
Regarding electricity, it is noted that the entire fixed usage rate for the year 2023 was subsidized by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate (EZK). For the year 2024, this full subsidy is limited to the connection categories up to and including 3*50 Ampere. This means that for larger connections, a net fixed usage rate will apply again (based on normal but not full subsidy).
Regarding drinking water, there is slightly more budget (subsidy) available for the reduction of the fixed usage rate for the year 2024 from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (I&W). As a result, the fixed usage rate has been set lower than usual, allowing the rate for delivery with the water truck to be set at a lower level compared to 2023.
The relevant changes to the rates are as follows:
Periodic Electricity Rates
The fixed usage rate for connections with a connection size up to and including 3*50 ampere is set at USD 0.00 per month.
The variable electricity usage rate is slightly increased from USD 0.3516 per kWh to USD 0.3575 per kWh.
Since the fixed usage rate for small connections is set at USD 0.00 per month, the rate as of January 1, 2024, for the prepaid connection (Pagabon) is equal to the variable usage rate, namely USD 0.3575 per kWh.
Periodic Drinking Water Rates
The fixed usage rate for the most common (small) connection is reduced from USD 7.94 per month to USD 3.71 per month.
The variable usage rate is increased from USD 3.908 per m³ to USD 4.165 per m³. This increase is mainly due to the growth in demand on Bonaire.
For consumers receiving delivery by water truck, the rate has been reduced from USD 4.743 per m3. to USD 4.600 per m³.
Billing
The new periodic electricity and drinking water rates will be applied to invoices from the consumption period starting in January 2024. For consumers based on Pagabon and the water truck, the new rates will be immediately visible from January 1, 2024.
(*) Depending on the developments in fuel costs, the variable electricity usage rate and the rate for Pagabon will be re-established as of July 1, 2024.
One-Time Connection Rates for Electricity and Drinking Water
The one-time connection rates, for small connections up to and including 25 meters, are set at USD 1,750.19 for electricity and USD 1,191.59 for drinking water. This is an increase of 1.8% compared to 2023.
Changed Conditions
The general terms and conditions and connection regulations have been changed and modernized and will come into effect on January 15, 2024.
The complete rate sheet for electricity and drinking water effective from January 1, 2024, and the new conditions effective from January 15, 2024, can be found at www.webbonaire.com.
