ACM sets rules for electricity and drinking-water tariffs in the Caribbean Netherlands

The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has established rules with which it will determine the level of the revenues of electricity producers and drinking water companies in the Caribbean Netherlands (which are the islands of Bonaire, Saint Eustatius and Saba). Based on this so-called method decision, ACM in late-2016 will set the tariffs that these companies are allowed to charge their customers (businesses and consumers).

Reasonable tariffs for electricity and drinking water

The purpose of these rules is to come to reasonable tariffs for electricity and drinking water for businesses and consumers. In that context, the electricity producers and drinking-water companies in the Caribbean Netherlands must be able to recoup their investments, insofar these are efficient. In that way, consumers do not end up paying too much, while businesses are able to earn enough in order to continue to invest in an affordable and secure supply of electricity and drinking water.

ACM will set the tariffs by the end of 2016

Since July 1, 2016, ACM has been charged several new regulatory tasks under the BES Electricity and Drinking Water Act (in Dutch: Wet Elektriciteit en Drinkwater BES). On July 5, 2016, ACM put out for public consultation the draft method decision. Having incorporated the comments from businesses and buyer organizations on the BES islands, ACM has now finalized the decision. ACM will also determine soon what the reasonable return is that electricity producers and drinking-water companies are allowed to earn. ACM will set the tariffs for electricity and drinking water by the end of 2016.