WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao residents will see another increase in their electricity bills beginning June 1, while water rates will decrease only marginally, according to the latest utility tariff adjustments announced by the government.
The new rates mean households will pay more for electricity across all consumption categories, continuing a trend of rising energy costs that has affected consumers throughout recent months.
For households consuming up to 250 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month, the electricity tariff will increase from nearly 59 cents to almost 61 cents per kWh. Customers with higher consumption levels will face even steeper charges. In the highest consumption bracket, the tariff will rise from just under 74 cents to nearly 76 cents per kWh.
The increase follows another electricity price adjustment introduced in May, when the government raised tariffs in response to higher fuel costs associated with power generation. Authorities said the latest increase is linked to a correction factor applied for April, as well as changes in fuel costs at the island’s power plants.
The continued rise in electricity prices is expected to place additional pressure on household budgets, particularly for families already coping with higher living expenses and increasing utility costs.
While electricity users will pay more, consumers will receive only limited relief through a slight reduction in water rates.
Households that use up to nine cubic meters of water per month will now pay 8.32 guilders per cubic meter. Water prices in higher consumption categories will also decline slightly, although the reductions amount to only a fraction of a cent.
According to the government, the modest decrease is the result of slightly lower electricity costs associated with the production of drinking water. However, officials acknowledge that the impact on consumers will be minimal, as the reduction is unlikely to produce a noticeable difference on monthly utility bills.
The latest adjustments highlight the continued influence of energy costs on utility pricing in Curaçao, where fluctuations in fuel prices can directly affect both electricity generation and water production costs.
The new tariffs take effect on June 1.