On May 8, 2009 the Barbados Light & Power Company Limited (BL&P), also referred to as “the Company”, submitted an application for a review of its electricity rates. In its Memorandum on Proposed Tariffs, the Company proposed the introduction of three pilot programmes relating to a Time-of-Use (TOU) Tariff, a Renewable Energy Rider (RER) and an Interruptible Service Rider (ISR). The Fair Trading Commission “the Commission” determined that these pilot programmes would not be dealt with at the rate review hearing but through a separate public consultation. The Commission is required to provide regulatory oversight over programmes which introduce new provisions, rates or terms of service to customers.

This paper outlines the Commission’s findings with respect to the RER, the ISR and the TOU tariff. As a consequence of the Commission’s decision on the BL&P rate application dated January 28, 2010 which removed ratchet billing from the demand charge of Large Power (LP) and Secondary Voltage Power (SVP) customers, the BL&P submitted on February 24, 2010 a revised TOU tariff proposal whereby the base energy off-peak rate was increased from $0.044/kWh to $0.062 kWh plus VAT.

The Commission has reviewed all of the information submitted and is satisfied with the conditions under which the pilot programmes are being offered except for the duration. The Commission advises the BL&P that the pilot programmes should be undertaken for no more than two years from the date of implementation which should be no later than July 1, 2010.

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