WILLEMSTAD - Starting in early November, Aqualectra, Curaçao’s utility provider, will launch a pilot program offering reconnection to over a thousand households previously disconnected due to unpaid bills. This initiative allows families with overdue payments of over 31 days to reconnect to water and electricity services under a new model that encourages controlled, independent consumption.
Aqualectra aims to have these households reconnected to basic services by Christmas, allowing them to manage their electricity and water use through prepaid options. In recent years, Aqualectra has faced rising customer debt, which now totals nearly 12 million florins. The company has consistently sought solutions for rising unpaid bills while prioritizing the well-being of its clients. While disconnection is never an easy decision, it has sometimes been necessary for customers who repeatedly fall behind on payments.
With digital advances, Aqualectra introduced a prepaid electricity system several years ago, allowing customers to manage their own consumption. This new initiative will extend the system to include prepaid water consumption through an intelligent payment system, providing more control over both electricity and water use. This pilot project, in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Development, Labor, and Welfare (SOAW), underscores the commitment of both Aqualectra and the Ministry to prioritize vulnerable households’ well-being.
To prevent recurring debt, reconnection under this initiative will be subject to specific conditions. Selected customers will be required to sign a reconnection agreement, which includes a structured payment plan. Additionally, clients must attend three mandatory workshops offered by the Ministry of SOAW covering budgeting, responsible electricity use, and water conservation. They will also participate in a workshop on the new prepaid system offered by Aqualectra. Once the agreements are signed, reconnections will be scheduled to ensure these households have access to water and electricity by the holiday season.
Through this initiative, Aqualectra reinforces its commitment to Curaçao by supporting the island’s vulnerable groups, aiming to bring these families a worry-free Christmas with the security of basic utilities at home.