BPL vs. BGC: Who’s Responsible for the Power Grid?

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NASSAU , BAHAMAS –

Dareo McKenzie – CEO, Bahamas Grid Company

“BPL is responsible for the generation, the production of power. BGC is responsible for the transmission and distribution system.”

Back in October 2024, the Davis administration signed a 25-year public-private partnership with Island Grid Solutions, creating the Bahamas Grid Company to take over the country’s transmission and distribution network.

Under the agreement, Bahamas Power and Light contributed $100 million in transmission and distribution assets to the new company while retaining a 40 percent equity stake.

So, if BGC is now responsible for the grid, who’s doing the work?

Dareo McKenzie – CEO, Bahamas Grid Company

“The employees of BGC, many of them are expert employees that came over from BPL. Some of them actually came out of retirement to join the company, to join the mission and to take up the mantle.”

The company currently employs roughly 100 workers, with plans to expand that number to about 150 personnel.

Meanwhile, Chief Operating Officer Ryan Holder says the biggest challenge isn’t generating power. It’s managing an aging transmission and distribution system that has suffered from years of underinvestment.

Ryan Holder – COO, Bahamas Grid Company

“The sub-transmission, there are substation gear and transformer issues that also have to be addressed. Also, old components which have issues in terms of oil leakage and stuff. So it’s a part of our focus in terms of our reliability efforts.”

While BGC is responsible for operating and maintaining the transmission and distribution network, some of the assets have not yet been formally transferred from BPL to BGC.

Dareo McKenzie – CEO, Bahamas Grid Company

“Where we stand with that right now is we’re actively in the process of completing that. It’s a very complicated process. When assets have been owned by one entity for several decades, there’s a whole process that needs to be followed in order to finalize it. So we are very close to finalizing that.”

BGC officials say recruitment efforts are continuing, with the company actively seeking more technically skilled workers to expand its transmission and distribution team.

They say building a stronger workforce will be critical as the company continues to modernize the grid, address aging infrastructure, and improve the reliability of electrical service across New Providence.