The Barbados Consumer Empowerment Network is urging the Barbados Light & Power Company to immediately release key financial reports and provide full disclosure of its accounts amid repeated requests for rate hikes.
The consumer watchdog’s Executive Chair, Maureen Holder, said it supports the formal complaint submitted to the Fair Trading Commission (FTC) by a group of intervenors led by former utility manager Ricky Went, who has warned that the company’s “persistent lack of transparency” could lead to a court challenge.
She noted that despite multiple written requests since January 2023, Light & Power has failed to disclose its audited financial statements for 2022–2024, as well as unaudited interim results for 2025.
Holder condemned the company’s ongoing secrecy as unacceptable, particularly since ratepayers are already grappling with a 37 per cent interim rate increase imposed in November 2022, along with additional surcharges for temporary generation units approved by the FTC.
“Barbadians are under immense economic pressure. Urgent action must be taken to reduce electricity costs across all sectors,” Holder said.
“The mounting financial burden, with no relief in sight, is especially harsh for lower and middle-income households, small businesses, manufacturers, and retailers. Without transparency from BLPC, consumers are being asked to shoulder an unjust and disproportionate share of the cost.”
The consumer group is now calling on the FTC to enforce full financial disclosure from Light and Power in the interest of fairness, consumer protection and public accountability.
Holder stressed that Barbadians deserve answers, stating, “The situation has reached a tipping point where token reassurances are no longer acceptable.”
She suggested that if BLPC is currently performing better than its 2021 projections suggest, the public has a right to know.
Holder also raised concerns about regulatory impartiality, warning against undue alliances between Light & Power and political figures.
“Barbados is no longer under colonial rule, and it must not permit a private monopoly like BLPC to abuse its dominant position to the detriment of the people,” she said. “Regulatory oversight must be both impartial and effective. This is not about personal relationships or political affiliations; it is about upholding the public interest.”
While acknowledging the complexity of Barbados’ energy challenges, the consumer group maintains that the solution cannot hinge on burdening consumers with ever-increasing costs.
“We further note that recent remarks in Parliament, along with visible public associations between political figures and BLPC, may have emboldened the company’s lack of accountability,” Holder added.
“This is deeply concerning. No amount of corporate goodwill, sponsorships or sizeable donations should excuse turning a blind eye to the mounting pressure and economic strain being placed on Barbadian consumers.”
emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb
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