Its director doesn't know if it can continue to provide services
A charity has been told that its annual electricity bill will go up by a staggering 433%.
Community Out West runs public toilets on Kinlochewe in the Highlands.
It took over their running after the facilities were closed five years ago due to council funding cuts.
The charity has been told by supplier EDF that its energy bill will go from £1,500 to £8,000 per year.
Now it says that keeping the open the loos, which are well-used by tourists, may not be viable.
Community Out West is now looking for donations to keep the toilets open. Current levels of funding will not be enough to keep the facility – which includes lighting and hand driers as well as a chemical loo for campervans – going.
Karen Twist, a director at the charity, told BBC Scotland: "We were expecting our energy prices to rise, but we found out it was going to rise from about £1,500 a year to £7,753 a year. That was a big shock."
The charity incurred a further penalty of £250 as it missed a deadline after it was given just a few hours to accept the quote.
This wasn’t possible because under the charity’s constitution all members of its trust are involved in decision-making.
Mrs Twist added: "We're deeply worried about it, we don't know if we can continue to keep the facility open."
She also said Community Out West's situation had left her wondering what increased energy costs other charities were now faced with.
This week, the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations issued a warning that lifeline services will be badly hit as charities are deeply impacted by the cost of living crisis and called for action on funding.
EDF told the BBC: "All of our business contracts are bespoke and raised based on the individual company's circumstances.
"Unfortunately, due to current unprecedented market volatility, our contract quotes can only be valid for a short period of time.
"We're pleased to confirm the customer, Community Out West, has now signed up to a two-year fixed 'peace of mind' contract with EDF."
We feel the same. Our energy costs have already risen by 400% (strangely during lockdown). With the expected energy costs increases later this year, just one of our premises will cost £127,000 to heat. We continue to contest this in all possible ways, as well as trying to get other sources of heating in place before the autumn. We do need urgent advice and help. Very vulnerable people who will struggle to heat their homes and to pay for food, may now not be able to come to us as they have done over many years to get a hot drink, a snack, and to find safety. Meanwhile the energy companies are laughing all the way to the bank