The Fair Trading Commission Act, Cap. 326B of the Laws of Barbados

• Jurisdiction: Barbados
• Court: Fair Trading Commission (Barbados)
• Judge: Ruan Martinez,Ankie Scott-Joseph,Samuel Wallerson,John Griffith
• Judgment Date: 22 December 2022
• Docket Number: NO. FTCUR/ORDSOS/BLPC-2022-12

In the Matter of the Fair Trading Commission Act, Cap. 326B of the Laws of Barbados;

And in the Matter of the Utilities Regulation Act, Cap. 282 of the Laws of Barbados;

And in the Matter of the Utilities Regulation (Procedural) Rules, 2003 and the Utilities Regulation (Procedural) (Amendment) Rules, 2009;

And in the Matter of the Review of the Standards of Service for the Barbados Light and Power Company Limited pursuant to Section 3(1)(d) of the Utilities Regulation Act, CAP. 282 of the Laws of Barbados.

Before:

Ruan Martinez Commissioner

Ankie Scott-Joseph Commissioner

Samuel Wallerson Commissioner

John Griffith Commissioner

NO. FTCUR/ORDSOS/BLPC-2022-12

FAIR TRADING COMMISSION

ORDER

ORDER

1 This Order is made pursuant to Section 38(c)(ii) of the Utilities Regulations Act CAP. 282 of the Laws of Barbados;

2 WHEREAS in recognition of the issues that have been considered and determined throughout the Fair Trading Commission's (the “Commission”) review of the Standards of Service for the Barbados Light and Power Company Limited (the “BLPC”);

3 AND UPON READING AND CONSIDERING the written submissions of the BLPC in response to the Commission's public consultation (by way of a Consultation Paper for the Determination and Applicability of the Standards of Service for the BLPC, dated May 25, 2021);

4 AND UPON READING AND CONSIDERING the respective written submissions and evidence of the BLPC and the Barbados Renewable Energy Association, intervenor, submitted during the Commission's public written hearing which commenced on June 8, 2022, and the Commission's own research;

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:-

• 1. The BLPC shall comply with the prescribed Standards of Service and Reliability Indicators set out at Table 1, 2 and Table 3 of the attached Schedule subject to the exemptions set out in the Standards of Service Decision dated the 22 ^nd day of December, 2022 (the “Decision”);

• 2. The BLPC shall pay the prescribed amounts set out at Table 1 of the attached Schedule to any person who is affected by its failure to provide the utility service in accordance with the prescribed Standards of Service and in the manner set out in the Decision;

• 3. This Order shall take effect on the 1 ^st day of January 2023;

• 4. The Standards of Service set out in the Decision and Order shall remain in effect for a period of three (3) years from the date of their implementation; and

• 5. The Commission shall be at liberty to extend the validity of the Standards of Service set out in the Decision and Order for a further period of no more than two (2) years.

Dated this 22nd day of December 2022

Original signed by ………………………………… Ruan Martinez Commissioner	Original signed by ………………………………….. Ankie Scott-Joseph Commissioner
Original signed by ………………………………… Samuel Wallerson Commissioner	Original signed by ………………………………….. John Griffith Commissioner

SCHEDULE

5 Table 1. Guaranteed Standards of Services for BLPC

6 Key: D – Domestic; GS – General Service; SVP – Secondary Voltage Power; LP – Large Power

STANDARD	SERVICE CATEGORY	TARGET	COMPENSATION
GES 1	Fault Repair — Customer's Service Description: This refers to the time it takes to restore supply after fault on a consumer's service (single customer).	Within eight (8) hours of receipt of complaint.	$45.00 (D) $90.00 (GS) $215.00 (SVP/LP) For each additional eight (8) hours Prorated on an hourly basis. Automatic compensation 1
GES 2 (Amended)	Fault Repair — Distribution System Description: This refers to the time it takes to restore supply after a fault occurs on any part of the network that manifests itself on the distribution system (multiple customers).	Within eight (8) hours of service loss.	$45.00 (D) $90.00 (GS) $215.00 (SVP/LP) For each additional eight (8) hours Prorated on an hourly basis. Automatic compensation.
GES 3	Voltage Complaint Description: This refers to the investigation and correction of voltage complaints.	(a) Visit within twenty-four(24) working hours 2 of receiptofthe complaint.	$45.00 (D) $90.00 (GS) $215.00 (SVP/LP) Automatic compensation.
b) Provide an assessment within five (5) working days 3 of receipt of complaint.
(c) Correct within thirty (30) working days of receipt of complaint.
GES 4	a) Simple Service Connection Description: This refers to the time it takes to provide a simple service connection (connection point within thirty (30) metres) after the customer signs the contract for connection and presentstherequired information as identified on BLPC's website.	Within twelve (12) working days of receipt of request.	Refund/Creditof installation fee Automatic compensation
GES 5 (Amended)	Complex Connection – Cost Estimate Description: This refers to the time it takes to provide a cost estimate for a complex connection requiring a service visit. Time begins to run when the customer has furnished BLPC with the minimum information required to provide the estimate.	Within twenty-five (25) working days of the submission of the minimum information required to provide the estimate.	Refund/Creditof application fee Automatic compensation
GES 6	Connect or Transfer of Service Description: This refers to the time it takes to connect or transfer service from one location to another location which has an existing installation.	Within twelve (12) working hours of receipt of request.	$45.00 (D) $90.00 (GS) $215.00 (SVP/LP) Automatic compensation
GES 7 (Amended)	Reconnection Description: This refers to the time for reconnection of service on settling the bill after disconnection at the meter, as verified by BLPC.	Customers with AMI meters should be reconnected within two (2) working hours of verification of payment. Other customers should be reconnected within six (6) working hours of verification of payment. Customersare required to notify BLPC of payment, and must present a receipt number as evidence of payment, where the payment is made through an entity other than BLPC.	Credit of reconnection fee Automatic compensation
GES 8 (Amended)	Response to Billing Complaints Description: This refers to the timeframe in which the BLPC responds to customers' billing complaints.	a) Where a service visit is required, provide an assessmentand resolution within eight (8) working days of receipt of complaint.	$45.00 (D) $90.00 (GS) $215.00 (SVP/LP) Customer initiated claim required
b) For all other matters not requiring a service visit,...