Electricity provider Te Aponga Uira (TAU) has disconnected services to a number of customers this week who have persistently failed to pay their long-standing electricity debts, some of which date back more than five years and exceed $10,000.

The move is part of the power utility’s policy to manage accounts that have remained unpaid for more than 90 days, TAU confirmed in a statement.

According to TAU, the disconnections were only carried out after multiple attempts to recover outstanding payments.

The company also made efforts to support customers in addressing their debts, including offering payment plans. However, some customers have either refused to engage or have failed to stick to agreed repayment schedules.

Cook Islands News has contacted TAU for comment on the number of customers affected.

In a statement, TAU chief executive officer Lesley Katoa said that the decision to disconnect power was not taken lightly.

“Sadly, some of our customers have not been making any attempt to pay their power bills, and our team have made many attempts to support these customers to address their long-standing and persistent debt, but they have refused to address it and/or consistently failed to commit and stick to payment plans offered by TAU,” Katoa said.

She said the rising cost of fuel due to global economic conditions has forced TAU to absorb more than 50 per cent of the increased expenses.

“TAU can no longer provide non-paying customers with free electricity when the rest of our customers do the right thing and pay,” Katoa said.

“If we do not disconnect customers who aren’t paying for electricity, we fail to do the right thing for the future of Rarotonga’s electricity grid, which needs significant financial investments to continue to provide reliable electricity to our residents and visitors, and to adapt to increasing amounts of renewable energy.”

TAU had publicly announced its approach to managing persistent debtors in July 2024 through television, newspapers, social media and direct contact with affected customers.

The company had warned that from October 23, 2024, any customer with an overdue balance of more than 90 days and no active payment plan would be at risk of disconnection.

The company urges customers struggling with long-term debt to contact their office to discuss payment options. Failure to do so may result in disconnection, and customers would have to pay a reconnection fee to restore power.

• Additional reporting from TAU