WHILE RESIDENTS are being spared the full burden of electricity costs, commercial and industrial users have begun to see a major increase in their bills.

Chief marketing officer of the Barbados Light & Power (BL&P) Company, Stephen Worme, announced yesterday that large energy users such as ministerial offices, financial institutions, hotels, hospitals and other entities using over 1 000 kilowatts per hour would see a 16 per cent rise in their bills from this month.

He said these customers were in the secondary voltage power and large power categories, but cautioned residents to be responsible nevertheless.

"While most residential customers will not be directly impacted by this recent increase due to the subsidy, the increase in the price of oil and other commodities continue to place a burden on our country's finances and we all have a responsibility to do what we do more efficiently and more most effectively," Worme said.

In a release issued by BL&P yesterday, Worme also said the company would continue to do its best to ensure maximum use of its generators that use Bunker C fuel, which is the lowest cost fuel available. Saying there was not much more to be done in the short term, he urged consumers to eliminate wastage and find ways to reduce their use of electricity, gasoline and other products.

The company added that the fuel clause adjustment for domestic and general service customers was being subsidised by Government since December 2007, and this subsidy was designed to stabilise residents' electricity price of 23.5375 cents per kWh – the same level as in October 2007. (RJ/PR)