Dear Editor
When oil prices are rising on the international market due to the economic expansion of China, India and Africa, any government which seeks to cushion this effect by subsidising electricity and transportation fuel (subsidising energy) would end up bankrupting their country. This is why it is imperative for the electricity prices in Linden to be brought in line with the rest of Guyana. And, for the countrywide electricity prices to rise further.
I suggest that GPL abandon the current tariff system of residential, commercial and industrial users in favour of light user and heavy user. A light user would be someone who uses electricity to power 4 light bulbs for 4 hours per day for a week, 1 fridge/freezer for 24 hours a day for a week, 1 washing machine for 4 hours per week, 1 tv for 4 hours per day for a week, a computer for 2 hours per day for a week. The total amount of electricity used in a week, hence month, can be calculated.
A light user would pay a tariff at a lower rate than a heavy user. Hence, people who are genuinely poor would be charged at a lower rate than those who are rich.
I am quite sure that GPL can recalibrate its tariff system for light users and heavy users of electricity rather than trying to assess how much electricity is used by some business people who trade at home. By doing this it will enable Guyanese to start conserving electricity until the Amaila Falls Hydroelectric Scheme comes on stream.
Yours faithfully,
Sean McLean
