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Scores of islanders have been rallying against seemingly rocketing electricity bills at the start of this year – but the company in charge says its recent price rise isn't to blame.
Many islanders wrote on Facebook that their bills had more than doubled since Jersey Electricity's rate increase of 12% came into force on 1 January – which was due to add an extra £3 per week to the average household bill.
Some even called on Express to find out what was happening. So, are Islanders paying more than the 12% rise?
Short and simple, the answer is no. Rather, Jersey Electricity have explained that the rise came into force at a time when temperatures plunged to sub-zero levels, meaning the increase felt as harsh as the cold weather outside.
Jersey Met issued several ice and snow warnings throughout the first weeks of the months, and forecasters commented that unseasonably low temperatures were plaguing the island due to persistent northerly and north-easterly winds.
Pictured: wintry showers came to Jersey several weeks ago (James Jeune).
It was during that time and shortly after that islanders shared their rocketing charges.
One said: "I don't understand how [Jersey Electricity] say their rates have only gone up 12% when everybody seems to be facing double the bill or higher."
He further explained that his bill for the first three months of 2023 was £260, adding: "I live in exactly the same apartment. Doing exactly the same thing. But yet my forecast for this month alone is £225."
Others spoke out about similar hikes on social media.
Pictured: Many islanders shared their concern on social media.
However, a spokesperson from Jersey Electricity provided an explanation, saying: "Other than the published 12% tariff increase effective from 1st January, no other costs have increased.
"If islanders are experiencing higher than a 12% increase, it is likely to have been caused by the freezing wintery conditions that affected the Island in the first part of January. In colder weather conditions, heating and hot water systems use more energy to reach the temperature thermostats are set to.
"As a result of the recent cold weather, the Island's electricity consumption over the January period saw an increase during the first three weeks of 2024.
"Peak loads (which is the highest demand in any one day) went above 160 Megawatts (MW) on a number of days which was an increase of more than 40MW (33%) compared with previous weeks prior to the cold weather arriving."
Electricity bills to rise by 12% next year
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