Local residential power tariff third lowest in region - survey
Guyana's residential electricity rates are the third lowest of nine Caribbean and neighbouring countries, with only oil producers Venezuela and Trinidad having lower charges than this country. A study was done by the Latin American Energy Association covering 26 countries in Central and South America and the Caribbean for the month of April 1999. This was compared to figures provided by Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL). Of the nine countries in the Caribbean and those neighbouring Guyana, Venezuela's consumer rate of 1.03 US cents (c) per kilowatt hour was by far the lowest. The Guyana rate for April was 8.92c. The highest charges were in Grenada (19.26c), Suriname (17.08c) and Barbados (15.30c). Trinidad at 2.75c was a third of this country's. The rate structure for Guyana differs from some other countries which have lower rates for their industrial and commercial sectors. Trinidad has an industrial rate of 2.32c; Brazil's industrial rate is over half (3.89c) its consumer rate of 8.97c. Guyana however had a commercial rate of 13.96c and 12.11c/11.41c for industry. Marjorie Chester spokesperson for GPL observed that rates are governed by the quadripartite agreement until December 31, 2000 and it is not clear whether after this date there will be a new rate structure that would see lower tariffs for industry than for consumers. Rates per kilowatt hour in US cents * The rates from GPL reflect two industrial rates; rate 'C' and 'D' and are an average of consumption up to 4,000 kwh and additional usage. From October 1, GPL's charges were (in Guyana dollars): residential - 17.57 per kilowatt hour; commercial - 26.68; industrial 'C' - 24.68/21.61; industrial 'D' 23.35/20.27. (Exchange rate $1=US$180)
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