The Regulatory Authority has issued a consultation on the regulatory accounting reporting instructions that will apply to electricity sector licensees.

Currently, the Authority requires licensees to prepare separate accounts for each licensed business unit — which should also be separate from any unregulated business.

For example, the Bermuda Electric Light Company Limited is required to report separate accounts for each of their bulk generation and transmission, distribution and retail business units. This separation would also include separation from its parent company, Ascendant Group.

A spokesman for the Authority said: “The Authority requires this separation as it helps to set the retail tariffs as well as to assess the economic profitability of licensees. The financial reporting instructions also require several disclosures for greater transparency regarding licensees’ operations.

“Providing separated accounts also helps the Authority to fulfil its core functions, including the protection of interests of end users with respect to the affordability of electricity, to promote economic efficiency and sustainability in the generation, transmission, distribution and sale of electricity and to promote competition.”

The Authority is asking for feedback from members of the public, businesses in the electricity sector and any other interested parties. It is asking a series of questions, including: ‘Do you agree that, for every licensed business unit, the elements that need to be reported include operating costs, revenues, current assets and current liabilities, and fixed assets?’

A full copy of the consultation document can be found on the Authority’s website www.rab.bm. More information can be obtained from Jozelle Escolastica at electricity@RAB.bm, referencing ‘Comments on Regulatory Accounting Instructions for the Electricity Sector’.

The closing date feedback is 5pm on March 14.