National

YEAR IN REVIEW – A Rocky Year for Bahamas Power and Light

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Power issues for Bahamas Power and Light spilled over into 2024, forcing the Davis administration to implement initiatives to provide sustainable power for its residents and lower the $1 billion debt.

Published

1 year ago

December 29, 2024

Berthony McDermott

But making matters worse was concerns raised by BPL unions at the beginning of the year amid talks a shakeup was coming to the power company.

It came after union president Kyle Wilson claimed Energy Minister Jobeth Coleby-Davis made a presentation revealing the plan to bring in a foreign company to run BPL’s transmission and distribution systems.

Bahamas Electrical Workers Union President Kyle Wilson said the meeting left them with more questions than answers.

Things reached a boiling point forcing the prime minister to step in.

(we’re not privatizing bpl. We wIll bring in some strategic partners for the purposes to find funding that we the government don’t have.

The Free National Movement questioned the explanation, saying it appears the government will prioritize BPL.

As the dreaded summer monThs grew closer, many questioned if the power company could handle the summer load.

By June, the Davis announced an equity rate adjustment that would adjust rates based on the amount of power consumed. The first 200 kilowatt hours consumed will have a base rate of zero dollars.

But that’s not all. The government also entered a 25-year contract with Pike Corporation through its Bahamian management company Island Grid Solutions for the upgrade and management of BPL’s transmission and distribution network.

Despite the new deals Bahamians still faced power outages this summer but the worst of it was felt one Eleuthera where it became a nightmare.

But a month before the prime minister made this promise in Parliament.

“I invite all Bahamians, to check your bills at the end of July. See for yourself,” he said.

But as July wrapped up many Bahamians were left outraged as they say power bills remained high.

Amid all this all saw the appointment of a new CEO, Toni Seymour.

As for the new partnerships at the power giant only time will tell it’s impact and if the lights will remain on.