Member of Parliament for West Grand Bahama and Bimini, the Hon. Kingsley Smith is weighing in on the cost of electricity on the island.
Smith responded to comments attributed to Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC) President, Dave McGregor in a local morning daily advising customers to adjust their electricity consumption. Smith said, “if they are listening and paying attention to what is being said and proved by the consumers then they will know that their is no significant change in how households and businesses consume energy.”
The West Grand Bahama MP went further stating, “you cannot justify that in June someone consumed 400 kWh then in July its goes to 800 kWh, the same appliances, etc. in use.”
According to GBPC the increase in fuel rate is a directly related to the increase in diesel usage at their plant. However, Smith believes this should have no direct impact on consumers. He said, “the issue the residents or the consumers are facing is that you go from 400 kWh to now 800 kWh. What I say is no matter the issue with operational costs, fuel hedging or whatever, that has nothing to do with doubling or tripling of consumers consumption.”
Smith of is of the view that Grand Bahama residents have made strides in lowering their energy consumption. “Gas water heaters, gas stoves, gas dryers, some have solar panels, changes were made.”
Smith joins Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey and Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Michael Pintard who have both raised concern about the reliability and cost of electricity on Grand Bahama in recent days.
