The Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) says rising global fuel prices are pushing up electricity costs in Antigua and Barbuda, with consumers now seeing higher charges on their monthly bills.

APUA Corporate Communications Officer Anazette Reynolds said the Fuel Variation Charge (FVC) for May increased from 55 cents to 70 cents per kilowatt-hour, a rise of nearly 30 per cent.

Speaking on WTP Radio, Reynolds said the adjustment reflects higher international fuel prices, which have been affected by ongoing geopolitical tensions, including conflict involving Iran.

“We would have published the fuel variation rate for May, and it’s a little bit more than what we have seen in recent times,” she said.

The FVC, introduced in July 2024, allows electricity rates to adjust in line with fluctuating fuel costs used in power generation.

Reynolds said part of the fuel cost is still being subsidised to help limit the impact on consumers, but urged households to monitor their electricity usage carefully, especially during the hotter summer months when demand typically rises.

“The thing about electricity is that you can control your cost based on your usage,” she said, encouraging energy-saving habits.

She warned that higher temperatures and school holidays, when children are more likely to be at home, could lead to increased consumption and higher bills if usage is not managed.

The increase comes amid wider concerns about global energy prices and the impact of international instability on small island states dependent on imported fuel.