Frequently asked questions
Nineteen things people ask us
Every answer here is in LUCELEC’s own words. Where a question has a fuller answer elsewhere on the site, the page is linked beneath it.
Frequently asked
Billing and payment
- What Will Happen If You Do Not Pay Your Bill By The Due Date?
Disconnection of Supply
The due date for payment of your current bill is indicated in the center portion of your bill. Your electricity supply is subject for disconnection if:
You do not pay your monthly electricity bill on time
You do not keep a payment agreement and fail to communicate with us on the matter
A cheque paid by you returns due to your account having insufficient funds
NOTE: Should disconnection occur because your cheque was returned on account of insufficient funds, a cash settlement of the amounts due on your bill, plus a reconnection fee is required before your electricity supply can be restored.
Reconnection of supply
If we have disconnected you for arrears the following must be paid before we can restore your electricity supply:
The full amount outstanding
A reconnection fee of $22.00
A security deposit where applicable
We will reconnect your electricity supply within 24 hours after the required payments have been received.
Remember! We are here to serve you efficiently and economically, but we need your assistance - please pay on time.
More on this:Billing & Payments
- What arrangements can I make to get my bills and have them paid if I’m going to be off island for a while?
Your bill will be mailed to your billing address per usual. You can sign up for our MyAccount service to have your bill emailed to you and pay it online through a credit or debit card and local online bank account. No arrangements can be made for your bill to be sent to your off island address.
More on this:Billing & Payments
- How do I get my account balance if I’m out of state?
Customers can get their account balance by calling our Account Enquiry service at +1 (758) 457-4433 and following the telephone prompts, or the LUCELEC switchboard at +1 (758) 457-4400. Have your account number ready. You may also sign up for our free MyAccount service for online access to your electricity account, have your bill emailed to you, view your bill balance and a lot of other information about your account.
More on this:Billing & Payments
- What billing terms are important for me to understand?
The Your Electricity Bill section of this web site explains fully each of the terms on your bill.
More on this:Billing & Payments
- How can I pay my bill?
LUCELEC requires prompt payment of bills to avoid arrears and disconnection of service.
Issue of Electricity Bills
An electricity bill is dispatched to each customer every month. This bill may either be based on your actual consumption, calculated using the meter reading obtained from your meter or alternatively, in cases where your meter may not be accessible, your bill may be an estimate of your average usage over the last six months. Payment of bills is due approximately thirty (30) days after the bill date for all types of customers.
Methods of Payment
Bills can be paid in full as soon as they are received. For customers who are not always able to make full monthly payments, the option of making part payments throughout the month as funds come to hand is also available. Advance payments are also welcomed, especially in cases where customers expect to be away when the bill is issued.
Payments can be made by card, cash or cheque at any of our Administrative offices in Castries, Rodney Bay and Vieux-Fort.
Customers can sign up for our MyAccount service to manage and pay their bills online through direct pay (use of a credit or debit card) or their online bank account. With MyAccount, customers can have thier bills emailed, pay mutiple accounts (business or domestic) and have 24/7 access to their payment and billing history.
More on this:Billing & Payments
- Under what circumstances will my electricity supply be disconnected?
LUCELEC will disconnect service in these situations:
At our customer's request. This may be done in writing or in person at our Administrative offices in Sans Souci, Rodney Bay or Vieux-Fort. Proper picture identification is required to process the request
For non-payment of bills over a period of time
For unauthorized use of electricity through abstraction or diversion
For illegal tampering of meters, switches, fuses or other apparatus owned by the Company
Upon instruction from the Chief Electrical Engineer of the Ministry of Infrastructure, Ports, Energy and Labour
More on this:Billing & Payments
Frequently asked
Rates and the fuel charge
- Why does the fuel surcharge change every month?
The fuel surcharge fluctuates from month to month because it is dependent on the price of crude oil on the international market. The price of fuel changes practically every day, thus directly affecting the fuel surcharge amount applied to your bill each month. You can find the monthly adjustment of the fuel surcharge on the Electricity Rates page on this website.
More on this:Fuel Price InsightsHow the fuel charge works
- What is the fuel surcharge cost adjustment factor?
The price of fuel is dependent on world market factors and fluctuates. LUCELEC has no control over the price of fuel. It has been established by legislation that the price LUCELEC pays for the fuel used to generate electricity is passed on to consumers in the form of the fuel surcharge cost adjustment factor. Please see the Electricity Rates page on this website for more.
More on this:Electricity RatesHow the fuel charge works
- What factors affect my electricity costs?
Three important factors affect your electricity costs.
The Price of Fuel. As you know, the price of fuel is dependent on the world market and fluctuates widely. LUCELEC has no control over that price. It has been established by legislation that increases or decreases in the price of fuel will be passed on to consumers in the form of the fuel surcharge cost adjustment factor. It is done so without being marked up by LUCELEC. Therefore, the amount of your monthly electricity bill is made up of two charges: the fuel surcharge cost adjustment factor and the charge for usage.
LUCELEC Operating Costs. LUCELEC strives to operate as efficiently as possible at all levels and in all areas of the company. We deliver to our customers the very best possible balance between reliability and cost efficiency. Investments in new generating equipment have resulted in reduced fuel consumption and, in 1999, a breakdown free year. The Transmission and Distribution system continues to reduce line losses dramatically, again resulting in operating efficiencies. These and many other operating efficiencies add up to significant cost savings for our customers.
You. The final important factor rests in your hands. By using electricity efficiently you can reduce your own costs. The Customer Tips section of this web site includes many suggestions of how you can use your electric appliances more efficiently. Try putting a timer on your water heater. Make sure you don't leave the refrigerator door open. Use lower wattage light bulbs. Your Electricity Bill allows you to track your usage. Try some of the energy saving Customer Tips and see if you can reduce your usage.
More on this:Electricity RatesUsing Less Power
- How can I keep my electricity costs down?
By using electricity efficiently you can reduce your costs. The Customer Tips section of this web site includes many suggestions on how you can use your electric appliances more efficiently. Try putting a timer on your water heater. Make sure you don't leave the refrigerator door open. Use lower wattage light bulbs. Your Electricity Bill shows your usage for the previous four months. Try some of the energy saving Customer Tips to help reduce your usage.
More on this:Using Less Power
Frequently asked
Connections and moving
- What should I do about my electricity bill and connection if I’m changing my place of residence?
You can disconnect your service after ensuring all outstanding bills are paid. If you are a tenant, the account will revert back to your landlord. If you are moving to a new residence and want to keep your service, you can transfer from the old resident to the new. These requests can be made at any of our Customer Service offices in Sans Souci, Rodney Bay or Vieux-Fort as well as through text or WhatsApp to +1 (758) 285-6796, +1 (758) 285-7859, +1 (758) 285-3593 or +1 (758) 285-3329 and by email to customersupport@lucelec.com.
More on this:Service DeskNew Connections
- How do I apply for a new connection?
The New Connections section of this web site will guide you on the application process for a new electricity connection.
More on this:New Connections
- Will a security deposit be required for a new connection?
LUCELEC requires a security deposit be paid before an electricity supply is provided.
The deposit normally does not exceed the charge for an estimated two months supply of electricity.
Deposits earn interest at a rate to be determined from time to time by agreement between LUCELEC and the Government of St. Lucia
Deposits are held to cover any outstanding bills if a person or organisation is unable to pay.
A performance bond is also acceptable for large customers. They are usually valid for one (1) year and therefore must be renewed annually.
More on this:New ConnectionsElectricity Rates
Frequently asked
Your meter and appliances
- How do I read my meter?
The About Your Meter section of this web site explains how to read both digital and dial type meters.
More on this:Your Meter
- What should I consider when buying an appliance?
Buy correctly rated equipment. The domestic supply here is 240 volts, 50 Hz. single phase. Anything else is incorrect.
If you must buy 110-volt equipment, make sure it is supplied with a three-pin plug for use on earthed systems, and use the correct transformer. Never cut off the earth terminal.
More on this:Using Less PowerElectrical Safety
Frequently asked
Outages and claims
- My appliance was damaged by a power fluctuation. How do I file a claim?
You must report your claim to the Customer Services Department at any of our Administrative Offices at Sans Souci, Rodney Bay and Vieux-Fort.
More on this:Customer ServiceService Desk
- How do I report a power outage?
LUCELEC operates a 24-hour Trouble Call Service. In the event of a power outage, please call:
North — 24 hours
Cap Estate to Dennery on the east, and Canaries on the west
More on this:Report an OutageOutage Centre
Frequently asked
Shares and the company
Frequently asked
Working with us
- Does LUCELEC offer Summer Employment for students and if so, how should I apply?
Yes, LUCELEC offers Summer Employment to students. To apply, one simply has to send in an application with details of their education and current area of study. If your application is successful you will be contacted by someone from the Human Resources Department.
More on this:Careers