WILLEMSTAD - The price for a liter of gasoline and diesel is set to increase on Tuesday, September 26. A liter of gasoline at the pump currently costs 2.44 guilders. That will rise to 2.50 guilders next week, an increase of six cents per liter.
Diesel, on the other hand, will see a steeper increase. While motorists and truck drivers paid 1.74 guilders per liter over the past month, next Tuesday it will jump to 1.91 guilders, an increase of a whopping 17 cents.
These price increases are occurring a week earlier than usual. Normally, the regulatory authority that makes price adjustments does so on the first Tuesday of the month.
With this earlier change, motorists will be paying the higher prices a week earlier than they would have under the usual schedule.
Electricity
Electricity rates are also increasing after a initial decrease last month. The new price will rise from 62 cents per kilowatt-hour to 68 cents, an increase of six cents.
This rate applies to the first 250 kilowatt-hours. Those who consume more will pay more per unit of electricity delivered. The next hundred kilowatt-hours will cost nearly 79 cents, up from 73 cents. Those who use even more will pay over 83 cents per kilowatt-hour, a six-cent increase.
The reduction in electricity rates seen earlier was the result of rising fuel prices for energy generation, combined with a significantly higher corrective factor in August.
Water
Water prices are also increasing. Starting from October 1st, one thousand liters will cost approximately 9.15 guilders. Previously, it was 8.75 guilders, making it 40 cents more expensive per cubic meter for the first nine cubic meters.
Just like electricity, water follows a progressive tariff system. The next tier will be priced at around 14.31 guilders. Those who consume more than twelve cubic meters but less than twenty will need to pay 16.25 guilders per 1000 liters for the excess usage. For those who use even more water, the rate will be 18.21 guilders per cubic meter for the extra consumption.
The increase in water rates is a result of higher electricity costs for water production and a significantly higher corrective factor for the month of August.