KRALENDIJK – Households and businesses in Bonaire will face higher maximum rates for electricity and drinking water starting January 1, 2026. The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has set these rates for Caribbean Netherlands and aims to maintain a balance between affordability for consumers and sufficient financial resources for utility companies.
The maximum usage rate for electricity in Bonaire will increase from approximately $0.32 to $0.39 USD per kilowatt-hour. For an average household with consumption of about 210 kilowatt-hours per month, this means an additional cost of approximately $14 per month.
The fixed electricity rate will also increase by an average of about 6 percent. The exact amount depends on the capacity of the connection. For households using prepaid electricity (pagabon), the rate ceiling will rise from approximately $0.65 to $0.74 per kilowatt-hour.
Drinking Water Also More Expensive
Not only electricity, but drinking water will also become more expensive. The maximum rate for drinking water usage will increase from approximately $4.06 to $4.48 per cubic meter. For an average household with consumption of about 10 cubic meters per month, this amounts to an increase of approximately $4 per month.
Additionally, the fixed monthly rate for drinking water will rise from $51.23 to $55.61. These are also maximum rates.
Subsidies Can Make a Difference
The rates that residents ultimately see on their bills may be lower than the established maximums. The Ministry of Climate and Green Growth and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management subsidize part of the electricity and drinking water costs in Caribbean Netherlands. How high these subsidies will be in 2026 is not yet known.
Annual Determination
The ACM sets maximum rates annually based on expected production and distribution costs. This process considers whether consumers are not paying too much and whether companies have sufficient financial resources to maintain reliable services.
For Bonaire, this means that 2026 will bring higher maximum rates for basic utilities like electricity and water, while the ultimate impact on residents’ wallets will partly depend on the level of subsidies.
