Curaçao Swimming Pool Dispute Over Alleged Defects Heads to Court

Curaçao's fuel and electricity rates are set to increase starting Tuesday, September 1, 2026, according to the RAC (Refineria di Kòrsou or the relevant regulatory authority). Diesel prices will rise by 24 cents per liter, while gasoline will increase by 5 cents per liter. Electricity tariffs will also go up on the same date. The RAC announced the changes, signaling a notable jump particularly for diesel consumers. The diesel increase of 24 cents per liter is significantly steeper than the gasoline hike, which could have a broad impact on transportation, logistics, and businesses that rely heavily on diesel. Residents and businesses are advised to prepare for the higher costs across both fuel types and electricity bills beginning in September.

Criticism is mounting over the management of Curaçao's refinery situation, with allegations that certain individuals at 2Bays/CRU are enriching themselves and their contractor friends through projects that ultimately fail to get the refinery's plants operational. The Papiamento-language outlet Extra Curaçao reports that the more the refinery situation drags on, the more these insiders appear to benefit financially at the public's expense. Adding to the controversy is a plan to reduce the current CRU workforce from 200 to 120 active workers — a cut of 80 employees — for which no clear explanation has been provided. Critics argue that bringing back a company with a track record of failure is inherently flawed, as suggested by the headline. The situation touches on Curaçao's long-troubled effort to revive the Isla refinery, a matter of significant economic and energy importance for the island. The lack of transparency around both the contractor payments and the workforce reduction is fueling public frustration and calls for accountability.

Curaçao has begun repairs on a malfunctioning wind turbine at the Koraal Tabak wind farm, as the island works to shore up its electricity generation capacity. The turbine had been out of service, reducing the contribution of renewable energy to the island's power grid. Authorities and the utility sector are treating the repair as a priority amid broader concerns about energy reliability on the island. The situation highlights Curaçao's ongoing challenge of maintaining aging infrastructure while simultaneously trying to expand sustainable power sources. The island has been actively seeking to increase its total power capacity, with wind energy playing a key role in its energy transition strategy. Restoring the turbine to full operation is expected to ease some pressure on the grid and support the island's clean energy goals.