A shop worker on Sark has indicated that rising electricity prices may necessitate the shutdown of some store freezers. Sark Electricity Limited (SEL) announced a price increase set to take effect on Monday, with rates rising to £1.16 per unit. This includes a base price increase of 56.3p per unit, along with a legal levy of 40p to support its defense against a seizure of assets by the Chief Pleas, plus an additional 20p levy to cover the costs associated with an investigation by the Electricity Prices Control Commissioner.
Rosemary Barum, an assistant at Mon Plaisir Stores, stated that the store was considering turning off many freezers to reduce electricity consumption. She added that the measure should not significantly affect their food storage capabilities, although it would require careful management of space.
The price hikes are also expected to impact other local businesses, including a guest house owner who expressed concern over the financial burden on visitors unaware of the rising costs. According to her, simple actions like turning on lights could incur significant charges.
Alan Witney-Price, the owner of SEL, stated that any remaining funds following legal proceedings would be returned to customers. He expressed frustration at the lack of face-to-face discussions with Chief Pleas regarding alternative resolutions to their disputes.
The Electricity Prices Control Commissioner, Shane Lynch, is currently examining the fairness of the price increases, with a spokesperson from Chief Pleas noting that it is within the Commissioner’s authority to enforce a price control order if the charges are found to be unreasonable.
Christopher Beaumont, Seigneur of Sark, critiqued the introduction of the second levy as potentially justifying concerns regarding its fairness. The Reverend David Stolton, Minister of Sark, voiced particular concern for vulnerable populations on the island, suggesting that the new prices could be unsustainable for many residents. In response to worries about transitioning to pay meters, Witney-Price reassured customers that they would not face such a change if their accounts were current.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj3l6kkrxj7o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss