Electricity

To obtain electricity service, property owners are required to complete and sign an application for electrical service, pay a deposit, show proof of ownership and a photo ID. Tenants are required to complete and sign an application for electrical service, pay a deposit, provide a rental agreement or lease and take their passport or driver’s licence along to CUC’s offices.

The required security deposit for electricity is calculated based on the average historical usage of 45 days of consumption on existing accounts. Deposits for new residential homes/condos are calculated based on square footage.

Grand Cayman runs on a 120 volt electricity system with three-pin plugs. However, the outlets are designed to accommodate a two-pin American plug (see picture below).

Monthly electric bills will vary depending on the size of your property, your lifestyle, how often you run your air conditioning, the efficiency of your air conditioning unit, the age of the property and how well the property is insulated, among other factors.

It is important to note that the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) and regular maintenance of your air conditioning unit can make a big difference in kilowatt-hour (kWh) consumption and your monthly electric bill.

The lower the SEER, the more power will be consumed. A SEER of 12 for example, will consume more than a SEER of 14 or higher. Getting your air conditioning units serviced regularly will ultimately save money.

The base rate of electricity as of 1st September 2019 was CI$0.1087 per kWh for residential customers with a monthly facility charge fee of CI$5.46 and a regulatory and licencing fee of CI$0.0125 per kWh, which applies only to usage over 1,000 kWh per month. However, if you factor in the fuel and fuel duty surcharges (which are issued as separate line items and vary from month to month), the total cost per kWh is approximately CI$0.2636. (Base rates are reviewed and updated every June 1st.)

The Government duty on fuel is CI$0.25 per imperial gallon. The fuel cost fluctuates with the global price of oil and the cost of fuel is passed down to the consumer after a two-month lag. To put it all into perspective, usage of 1,000 kWh per month would cost a residential customer approximately CI$256.33 and usage of 1,500 kWh would cost CI$388.43 (based on the September 2019 rate).

The cost of electricity is the same Island-wide and does not fluctuate depending on the time of day. You can download customer service forms from CUC’s website. Payments are not accepted at the Company’s two Customer Service Centres, but customers can learn more about the numerous payment methods listed under ‘Payment Methods’ on the Company’s website.