Charlestown, Nevis — The Nevis Electricity Company Limited (NEVLEC) is providing an update on the fuel surcharge for October 2026, which has increased to EC$0.96 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), reflecting the significant rise in the cost of delivered fuel used to generate electricity.
The October fuel surcharge represents an increase from the charges applied in previous months and is directly linked to the increase in the average delivered fuel price, which rose from EC$8.08 per imperial gallon in January 2026 to EC$16.42 per imperial gallon in October 2026 — an increase of approximately 103 per cent.
Understanding the Fuel Surcharge
The fuel surcharge, also known as the Fuel Cost Adjustment Factor (FCAF), reflects changes in fuel costs associated with electricity generation. As fuel prices fluctuate, the adjustment helps account for the difference between the actual delivered fuel price and the base fuel price used in the calculation.
For October 2026, the calculation is based on a delivered fuel price of EC$16.42 per imperial gallon and a base fuel price of EC$1.60 per imperial gallon.
Using these figures, together with the applicable fuel consumption and electricity generation data, NEVLEC calculated the October FCAF at EC$0.96 per kWh, equivalent to 96 Eastern Caribbean cents per unit of electricity consumed.
Fuel Prices Continue to Fluctuate
The average delivered fuel prices used for billing throughout 2026 illustrate the upward trend in fuel costs:
January: EC$8.08 per imperial gallon
February: EC$7.68 per imperial gallon
March: EC$8.21 per imperial gallon
April: EC$9.38 per imperial gallon
May: EC$14.15 per imperial gallon
June: EC$13.47 per imperial gallon
July: EC$12.38 per imperial gallon
August: EC$12.90 per imperial gallon
September: EC$14.73 per imperial gallon
October: EC$16.42 per imperial gallon
The figures show that although fuel prices experienced some fluctuations during the year, the overall trend has been upward, with October recording the highest average delivered fuel price in the period shown.
Impact on Customers
NEVLEC recognises that increases in fuel-related electricity charges can place additional pressure on households and businesses. The Company encourages customers to monitor their electricity consumption and adopt energy-saving practices wherever possible to help manage their monthly bills.
Customers are also reminded that domestic customers were not billed a separate fuel surcharge from January through May 2026, as reflected in NEVLEC’s published fuel price and FCAF schedule.
NEVLEC remains committed to keeping customers informed about changes in fuel costs and explaining how these changes affect the fuel adjustment component of electricity bills.
The Company will continue to communicate relevant updates to ensure customers have a clearer understanding of the factors influencing their electricity costs.
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