The Independent Regulatory Commission (IRC) will present a modernized electricity rate structure for Dominica Electricity Services Ltd. (DOMLEC), at a Stakeholders’ Forum scheduled for Tuesday, May 13, 2025.
The forum will inform stakeholders about:
- Key elements of the rate-setting process
- Guiding principles applied in reducing the base tariff; and
- Efforts undertaken to modernize DOMLEC’s tariff structure and regime
This event is being held ahead of the completion of the ongoing rate review for DOMLEC, as the IRC seeks to provide stakeholders with the opportunity to offer valuable feedback. A tariff or rate structure refers to the set of rules and charges that a utility company uses to determine the cost of providing electricity to its customers. As Dominica’s electricity regulator, the Commission views the modernization of DOMLEC’s rate structure as essential to respond to economic trends, align new rates with actual operational costs, and offer more options tailored to facilitate customers’ consumption patterns.
Later this year, the IRC and DOMLEC expect to consult with stakeholders on two additional tariff-related proposals, before finalizing the rate review: the Cost-of-Service Study and the Rate Proposal.
The IRC continues to encourage public and stakeholder participation and input, as this is a requirement for the undertaking.
This article is copyright © 2025 DOM767
While the IRC frames this upcoming forum as an opportunity for stakeholder engagement and transparency, I urge both the Commission and DOMLEC to be forthright in their language and intent. The repeated use of terms like “modernization of DOMLEC’s tariff structure” and “rate-setting process” appears to mask the reality that customers may soon face increased electricity costs.
Let’ us be clear: tariff restructuring leads to price increases. Regardless of how the adjustments are packagedm whether as aligning with “actual operational costs” or offering “more tailored options” the end result for the average consumer tends to be higher monthly bills. These kinds of changes may be necessary in certain contexts, but they must be communicated honestly and directly, especially in a country like Dominica where the cost of living is already a concern for many households.
If the IRC and DOMLEC are confident that these changes are fair and necessary, then the public deserves plain, transparent language, not sanitized phrasing that obscures the real impact. Stakeholder engagement is only meaningful when the discussion is based on full disclosure.
The public must have a genuine seat at the table, not simply a listening role in a process that has already been decided. As the Cost-of-Service Study and the forthcoming Rate Proposal approach, I urge all residents to actively participate, ask tough questions, and demand that affordability, not corporate profitability, remains the top priority in any “modernization” effort.
A concerned citizen and advocate for ratepayer transparency