Bringing new players to the table for electricity production will help Belco along with the community, Family Centre head Martha Dismont said.

Ms Dismont welcomed fresh legislation, brought recently to Parliament, for competitors to join the Island’s sole utility giant on the grid — and said she looked forward to giving her input to consultation over the summer.

She added: “I am also keenly aware of the challenge that Belco is facing, and I am hoping that the diversity may actually benefit Belco in reducing the burden of carrying so much of the community’s electricity demand.”

Getting families to embrace even low-cost renewable power such as solar water heating would take government help, she said.

“Renewable power is a great option but is often unattainable as the preliminary cost to set up solar panels on the roof can be prohibitive.

“If there is some sort of subsidy, it might be doable for some families or the landlords where they rent, if they don’t own.

“President Obama has introduced some legislation in an effort to reduce the cost of installing solar panels in United States homes.”

She described electricity as an essential service with the potential to be “part of a scenario that makes or breaks family stability”.

Costs had fallen since May 2014, Ms Dismont noted, bringing some relief, but unemployment remained a significant challenge.

Asked about sharing electricity-saving tips, such as using a clothesline instead of a dryer, Ms Dismont said that Family Centre’s staff worked closely with clients to advise on cost saving measures that could affect family stability.

“We also broadly distribute a quarterly Tip Sheet to the community, and I will check with our staff on whether or not we have covered this topic,” she said.

“We can certainly consider increased awareness of these issues.”