Kralendijk, 27-December 2025 – Water -en Energiebedrijf Bonaire N.V. (WEB) announce that the rates effective from January 1, 2026 have been determined and published. Due to reduced subsidies from the Ministries, the costs for electricity and drinking water will increase.
Each year, the rates that the producer may charge WEB and the rates that WEB may charge consumers are set and announced by the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM). On December 12, 2025, ACM established these cost-covering rates that WEB may charge as of January 1, 2026 (*).
To keep rates affordable, WEB applies for subsidies from the Ministries for each tariff year. Taking these subsidies into account, the rates for all consumers have been determined.
There has been a change in policy because of which the subsidies for the tariff rates have been lower than anticipated, while WEB must make significant investments to accommodate the growth in demand on the island. In addition, the ACM has been required to set the variable electricity tariffs at a higher level due to recalculations.
Policy changes
For 2026, the previous government implemented policy changes resulting in lower subsidies to keep the fixed usage rate on Bonaire affordable. In 2025, WEB managed to secure additional subsidies, which led to further rate reductions in August compared to January 2025. As the formation of a new government in the Netherlands is still ongoing, discussions on policy cannot be continued at this time.
Electricity
Until 2025, subsidies were provided based on a consistent policy line. For rates from August 1, 2025, additional subsidies were granted for the categories of 3*50 Ampere.
This situation changes as of January 1, 2026. The Ministry of Climate and Green Growth (KGG) does not have sufficient budget to continue the consistent policy line. As a result, the fixed usage rate increases from USD 29.63 to USD 47.80 per month for connections up to 3*35 Ampere.
Drinking water
In 2025, an additional subsidy allowed the tariff for a ½ inch connection to be set at zero from August 1, 2025. For 2026, the Ministry does not have enough budget to maintain the normal policy rate (USD 8.56 per month). The tariff for this connection is set at USD 11.60 per month as of January 1, 2026. Larger connections will see an increase of 8,5%.
WEB has mapped the consequences of these policy changes in time and escalated them to the Public Entity Bonaire, which then raised the issue at the appropriate level in the Netherlands. Despite all efforts, this has not yet led to reversal or mitigation of the policy changes. On 18 December, the House of Representatives adopted a motion to examine how the significant rates increase could be prevented by granting additional subsidies for the fixed water and electricity rates. These options are currently being explored by the ministries, with the conclusion that the situation will not change before 1 January 2026. WEB regrets this situation. Should this process ultimately lead to a positive outcome, the rates will be reduced as soon as additional budget becomes available.
Relevant changes to the rates are as follows:
Periodic electricity rates
Fixed usage rates for connections up to 3*35 Ampere: USD 47.80 per month (previously USD 0.00 per month).
Variable usage rates increase from USD 0.3220 per kWh to USD 0.3868 per kWh, mainly due to recalculations by the electricity producer (Contour Global Bonaire).
Prepaid connection (Pagabon): USD 0.6062 per kWh (was USD 0.4492 as of August 1, 2025), due to higher variable and fixed usage tariffs incorporated into this rate.
Periodic drinking water rates
Fixed usage rates for the most common (small) connection: increases from USD 0.00 per month to USD 11.60 per month.
Variable usage rates: increases from USD 4.055 per m³ to USD 4.475 per m³. The higher variable electricity rates play a major role in this.
Water truck delivery increases from USD 4.928 per m³ to USD 5.377 per m³.
Billing
The new periodic electricity and drinking water rates will apply to invoices for consumption periods starting in January 2026. For Pagabon and water truck customers, the new rates will be visible immediately from January 1, 2026.
(*) As of July 1, 2026, depending on fuel cost developments, the variable electricity usage rates and Pagabon rates will be reviewed.
One-time connection fees for electricity and drinking water
The one-time connection fees for small connections up to 25 meters have been set at USD 1,853.15 for electricity and USD 1,261.69 for drinking water. This represents a 3,3% increase compared to 2025, with the increase corresponding to inflation.
