Statia households pay up to $219 a month for electricity — union demands action

ORANJESTAD — All For 1 Union is calling on STUCO, local authorities and the Dutch government to explain rising electricity costs on Sint Eustatius and introduce lasting measures to make electricity more affordable for residents and businesses.

In a letter dated September 17, signed by union president Charles Woodley, the union says STUCO’s variable electricity tariff rose from US$0.3252 per kilowatt-hour in the first half of 2026 to US$0.3809 from July 1, an increase of approximately 17.1%.

The union explicitly states that it is not accusing STUCO of charging more than the maximum permitted by the Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM). Instead, it questions whether the current system of regulated tariffs and government subsidies delivers an affordable outcome.

According to the union’s calculations, a household using 250 kilowatt-hours a month with the smallest residential connection would pay approximately US$124.20 for electricity, including the fixed charge but excluding water. At 500 kilowatt-hours, that amount would reach roughly US$219. The union warns that higher electricity costs also affect businesses and could feed into higher prices for goods and services.

A central question in the letter concerns the financial benefits of the island’s investment in solar energy. The union cites projections indicating that approximately 54% of electricity production in 2026 will come from solar. While acknowledging that the remaining reliance on diesel leaves Statia exposed to international fuel prices, it wants STUCO and ACM to explain how much fuel is being saved and how those savings are reflected in consumers’ bills.

Solar savings not visible in bills

The union also seeks clarification on how publicly funded solar panels, batteries and related infrastructure are treated when calculating the return STUCO is allowed to recover through tariffs. It stresses that it is not alleging that grant-funded assets have been improperly included, but wants the underlying calculations made public.

All For 1 argues that existing structural subsidies mainly support fixed electricity charges, while the variable consumption tariff lacks comparable protection. It is asking the Dutch government to consider a lasting mechanism to cushion that part of the bill, rather than relying solely on temporary subsidies or income-tested assistance.

The letter asks the Island Council to put electricity affordability on its agenda and the Executive Council to engage with STUCO, ACM and the Dutch government. It also calls on the National Ombudsman to examine whether the current arrangements adequately protect residents and provide sufficiently clear information.

Multiple authorities addressed

The union requests a substantive written response within 14 days of receipt and wants the relevant figures and calculations published in language accessible to the public.