Electricity
service must be high quality and reliable
Trinidad Express
Port
Spain
Petroleumworldtt.com
11 26 06
After extensive analysis and public debate, an increase
in electricity rates, first for the commercial sector
and later for residential service, finally is being
implemented. By and large, it comes as no surprise
for the business sector, and residents across the
nation, that the cost of electricity will increase.
Electricity
is an essential commodity in any modern society
and particularly at this time in Trinidad and Tobago
which is experiencing an historic era of industrialisation,
thanks to enormous revenue from the energy sector.
The
business sector already has made it clear that the
impact of the rate hike on the cost of doing business
will vary depending on the level of usage. There
are some business operations whose consumption of
electricity is far greater than others and therefore
will have to shoulder much higher costs.
The
Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the Manufacturers'
Association-the nation's two leading business groups-recently
expressed hope that businesses in general will not
pass on unjust or unrealistic price increases in
goods and services to consumers, as electricity
costs do not account for 100 per cent of a company's
operating costs.
However,
it is to be expected that some part of those additional
costs eventually will be passed on to the consumer.
But
in the context of this whole move to jack up electricity
rates, both business groups raised a very key issue
which should not go unnoticed. In a joint statement,
they pointed to the fact that the rate increases
were intended to go hand in hand with residential
rate increases as well as improvements in T&TEC's
service levels and other obligations imposed by
the Regulated Industries Commission.
As
a result, they expressed their members' continued
uneasiness regarding T&TEC's current service,
specifically relating to the frequency of outages,
the estimation of billings, voltage quality and
damaged plant and equipment. In fact some members
of both groups are suggesting that there should
be some measure of compensation for the unreliability
of the power supply as it results in significant
production loss and consequent costs.
Over
the years, complaints regarding T&TEC's poor
service have often gone unattended. In many areas
around the country, outages occur on a regular basis
causing serious problems for business places and
homeowners alike.
Accompanying
this new wave of rate increases, T&TEC must
now put its house in order and significantly improve
its standards. This utility company must not provide
anything short of a service that's high quality
and reliable.
Trinidad
Express
Wednesday, November 22nd 2006
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