Electricity is supplied by the Barbados Light and Power Company. The cost of electricity on the island is relatively expensive and expats should be aware that prices are rising all the time. Air conditioning is used a lot and this can send bills soaring.

An alternative is to generate your own electricity using solar panels wherever possible to keep the bills lower and is extremely suitable on an island like Barbados. The company is presently considering building a 1000 kilowatt wind farm on the north of the island. Around 30% of the homes on the island are already equipped with solar water heaters and the government is considering lower electricity tariffs for those using renewable energy sources.

The electricity supply is 115 volts / 50 cycles and the island uses American style 2 flat pin plugs. It is not advisable to import electrical equipment from the UK as it is not compatible although they can be used with adaptors, although this can prove to be expensive. Locally sold appliances are also better able to cope with the climate.

The electricity supply is reliable although there are occasional outages. As with most countries there is a range of up to date options available. To get a supply from the electric company it will require a deposit which will be the equivalent of 3 months supply. You will also need an ID card or passport and a service charge. The forms to have supply connected can be downloaded from the company’s website.

The National Petroleum Corporation supplies gas to over 20,000 properties on the island. Supplies of gas from local sources are declining and it may be in the near future that gas would have to be imported from elsewhere. This will have an impact on the household bill.

Water is supplied by the Barbados Water Authority Limited which is a government-run organisation. Water is filtered by the natural coral aquifers and is very pure but because the company wishes to comply with World Health Organization regulations the water is chlorinated. This affects water quality and anyone who is prone to stomach problems is advised to drink bottled water although the tap water is deemed to be perfectly safe. Water is also passed through a desalinisation plant at Spring Garden in St. Michael and stored in suspended tanks before use.

Utility costs are regulated by the Fair Trading Commission and consumers who have problems can consult them for advice.