🔌 Caribbean Utilities Company denies conflict of interest in renewable power bidding process

The Caribbean Utilities Company (CUC) has refuted allegations of a conflict of interest regarding the bidding process for renewable power generation. Despite working with OfReg to shape the bid, CUC officials insist that their involvement is an obligation under their Transmission and Distribution (T&D) Licence. The licence requires CUC to assist the regulator in facilitating competitive bids to ensure there is adequate supply of generation capacity and energy. 📜

Concerns were raised about CUC's role in forming the request for proposal (RFP), as it is also competing in the bid. The Office of the Ombudsman, in a recent freedom of information appeal, ordered OfReg to release two reports created by CUC. The Ombudsman noted that the RFP involves highly technical matters, and OfReg may need to rely on external help. However, she also highlighted that releasing the documents OfReg is trying to withhold could enhance effective and fair competition, as one party already seems to have an advantage. 📂

In response to the Ombudsman's decision, CUC stated that it shares detailed technical information with OfReg in advance of the process to ensure a comprehensive understanding for qualified bidders. The power company also claimed that the Cost of Service Study, used by CUC to justify hiking electricity costs, is about rebalanced and restructured rates based on various relative characteristics. Despite the perceived conflict of interest, CUC maintains that it is fully prepared to participate in the process to advance large-scale renewable energy initiatives. 💡