7 Days of Darkness for Grand Cay Residents

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ABACO – For nearly a week, residents of Grand Cay, Abaco, were left without power, water and, in some cases, phone service.

As temperatures rose, residents say they were forced to rely on portable generators just to get through the night.

For days, Grand Cay residents were left in the dark, as homes were without power, water systems were affected and the summer heat made the situation even harder to bear.

In a voice note, Bahamas Power and Light Northern Regional Manager Marvin Green said the issue started when two of the island’s main generators were sent off for warranty repairs, resulting in a smaller unit being sent over.

Marvin Green – Northern Regional Manager, BPL

“When we initially set the generator, it was enough to supply the residents of Grand Cay. However, as the load increased, as it came more and more to the summer, that small generator was not large enough to sustain the entire island.”

And while a replacement generator was sent to the Cay, residents say it failed after being connected. However, Green says the same generator was previously used on Moore’s Island, where it functioned efficiently.

Marvin Green – Northern Regional Manager, BPL

“And during the transit, something had to have happened because as soon as we connected the unit in Grand Cay, it ran for just a brief time, and then there was a fault that shut the generator down.”

For residents, the blackout came with a heavy price tag.

One resident, in a social media post, shared how he spent almost $100 a day on fuel, only running his generator at night. He’s urging BPL to provide some sort of relief.

Craig Cephas – Grand Cay Resident

“That’s what they should be doing and saying, reimbursing us for the fuel we’ve been buying all week.”

Craig Cephas – Grand Cay Resident

“Ninety bucks a day, and BPL here talking about coming out here to collect revenue. And the thing is, everybody, this month, everybody light bill double.”

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Michael Pintard also criticized the government’s response to the lack of electricity, suggesting that bills were cleared for Grand Cay residents ahead of the election, but residents are now left to suffer.

Michael Pintard – Opposition Leader

“They’re in power, and person cannot keep their power on, and in the midst of it there is no relief.”

A rental generator has since been sent to Grand Cay, restoring power to the island. However, residents are still waiting to learn when the main generators will return.