The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

THE BAHAMAS Electricity Corporation’s (BEC) executive chairman Leslie Miller says consumers should see a ‘noticeable decrease’ in their electricity bills come September, telling The Tribune the electricity provider’s Clifton power station was running at “full speed”.

“You will see a noticeable decrease in the cost of electricity come September. People cannot elect a decrease at this time due to the fact that these are the summer months. We are burning more electricity even when care not noticing it. No one has seen any hefty increase in the cost of their electricity. The savings that the Government initiated during the budget debate, some of them are already kicking in. Furthermore our plant at Clifton has been running at full speed for the last 30-45 days so we are already providing lower electricity by using the cheaper fuel out of Clifton,” said Mr Miller.

Mr Miller added: “Every single engine at Clifton (which runs on cheaper Bunker C fuel) is running and that has not happened in many years. That decrease is already in place but you won’t notice it now because you are using more electricity and basically paying the same amount of money for it on a monthly basis. Come September and October you will see that decrease on your bill right away.”

Regarding the corporation’s attempts to reduce its overtime payout Mr Miller said: “Over time has come down by some $4 million from $12 million. This year we will max out under $8 million. Next year we are going to cut that in half. We have already seen some very meaningful changes at BEC.”