Hotter weather, less hydro power push VINLEC towards record EC$100 million fuel bill 

By Val Matthias. Updated 9:39 p.m., Thursday, September 24, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4). 

A combination of hotter weather, increased electricity use and reduced hydroelectric generation is expected to push VINLEC’s fuel bill beyond EC$100 million this year for the first time in the company’s history.

Chief Executive Officer Dr Vaughn Lewis said the state-owned utility is facing mounting fuel costs as unusually hot and dry conditions continue to affect both electricity demand and power generation.

Speaking during a media session on Tuesday September 22, Dr Lewis revealed that VINLEC spent approximately EC$95 million on fuel in 2025 and has already recorded fuel expenses of more than EC$50 million during the first six months of this year.

If the current trend continues, he said, the company is on track to exceed the EC$100 million mark by the end of 2026.

According to Dr Lewis, the increase is being driven by a combination of high fuel prices, growing electricity consumption and reduced output from the company’s hydroelectric facilities.

He said the country has experienced unusually hot and dry conditions in recent months, leading many consumers to rely more heavily on fans and air-conditioning units to cope with the heat.

As a result, electricity demand has continued to rise despite the higher cost of energy.

Dr Lewis noted that utilities would normally expect consumers to reduce their electricity usage when prices increase. However, VINLEC has observed the opposite trend, with average consumption continuing to climb.

The dry weather has also affected the company’s ability to generate electricity from hydro sources.

According to the CEO, lower water levels have reduced hydroelectric production, forcing VINLEC to depend more heavily on diesel-powered generators to meet national demand.

The combination of rising consumption and reduced renewable generation has created what Dr Lewis described as a challenging situation for the utility.

“Prices are high, the place is hot, people are using more electricity, and the place is dry, so we have less hydroelectricity,” he said.

The VINLEC chief executive also pointed out that the company has already spent more on fuel during the first half of 2026 than it spent during the entire year of 2020, when electricity demand fell amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

With fuel costs continuing to rise, VINLEC says it remains focused on expanding the use of renewable energy as part of its long-term strategy to reduce dependence on diesel generation and shield consumers from fluctuations in global fuel prices.

For now, however, the twin effects of increased electricity demand and reduced hydroelectric output are placing unprecedented pressure on the company’s fuel expenditure, putting it on course for a record-breaking year.

END

About the Author: This story was written and submitted by freelance journalist Mr. Val Matthias, a trained communicator with more than two decades in the media sector. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communication (UWI Mona), a Master of Science in Tourism and Hospitality Management (UWI Cave Hill), a Certificate in Digital Marketing, and has years of broadcast journalism experience rising to ranks of a programme manager. All supporting materials for this story have been presented, vetted, and verified. Mr Matthias can be reached at [email protected]