From The Rio Times · Iolanda Fonseca · · 1m 30s
St Vincent Fuel Surcharge Rises 45%
St Vincent fuel surcharge jumped 45% since March, now exceeding base rate on power bills.
In brief
St Vincent fuel surcharge jumped 45% since March, now exceeding base rate on power bills. St Vincent's fuel surcharge on power bills rose 45% from March to 79.67 EC cents per kWh in September, exceeding the base rate of 50 cents. Originally reported by The Rio Times.
St Vincent Fuel Surcharge
The St Vincent fuel surcharge on September 2026 bills stood at 79.67 Eastern Caribbean cents per kWh, about US$0.30.
Surcharge Increase
VINLEC's fuel surcharge rose 45% from 54.90 cents in March to 79.67 cents in September, exceeding the 50-cent base rate.
Surcharge Calculation
VINLEC calculates the surcharge as fuel costs above a fixed base price, divided by units sold, with no profit margin.
August Fuel Costs
Fuel burnt in August cost EC$12.3m (about US$4.6m), per VINLEC's notice for September bills.
Government Measures
Prime Minister Godwin Friday waived diesel customs charges for three months, expecting EC$1.65m (about US$611,000) revenue forgone.
Surcharge Caps
VINLEC agreed to match 50% of surcharge costs above 71 cents and 100% above 77 cents for households.
Opposition Critique
Opposition leader Ralph Gonsalves called the government's account 'smoke and mirrors', citing VINLEC's chief executive.
“smoke and mirrors”
Flat Fee Debate
Calls to replace the surcharge with a flat fee would shift fuel costs from large users to small households, according to iWitness News.
October Rate
VINLEC has not yet published the October rate, which reflects fuel burnt in September, expected to rise with higher oil prices.
In short
St Vincent's fuel surcharge on power bills rose 45% from March to 79.67 EC cents per kWh in September, exceeding the base rate of 50 cents.
