By Arianna Neely
BAHAMAS JOURNAL WRITER
Government officials, private sector leaders and key stakeholders in the energy sector,
gathered at the British Colonial Hotel on Thursday for the second annual National Energy
Summit, where the Davis Administration outlined major advancements in the country’s shift
toward a more reliable, more affordable and more sustainable energy future.
With close to 200 participants, the summit focused heavily on the nation’s transition to
renewable energy, modern infrastructure and long-term affordability for Bahamian families
and businesses. The event was held under the theme “Shaping a Sustainable Energy Future
Through People, Power and Partnerships” and served as a platform for outlining concrete
progress already underway in the country.
In her remarks, Minister of Energy and Transport Joeth Coleby-Davis said the country’s
energy reform is being guided by the key principles of reliability and security, affordability
and lowering carbon emissions. She said each of these pillars is tied directly to national
development and economic stability. According to the minister, the country’s energy system
must not only function consistently, but must also be able to withstand the environmental
threats that accompany life in an island nation. She said energy must be reliable and secure,
adding that a modern grid must withstand harsh weather conditions and protect public
services and businesses year-round. She added that energy must also be safe such that it does not create risk and is able to withstand challenges such as lightning strikes and hurricane force winds to the extent reasonably practicable.
Coleby-Davis stressed that affordability remains a central focus of the government’s
approach to energy reform, linking cheaper power to household budgets, economic
opportunity and business growth. She stated that cheaper electricity for Bahamians feeds into the prime minister’s wider Affordable Bahamas initiative. She also highlighted the economic advantages that energy cost reductions bring to small and medium sized enterprises. She said affordable electricity for businesses, and in particular small businesses, will drive innovation and increase profitability. In addition, the minister emphasized that transitioning to low carbon energy is not only environmentally responsible but also fiscally strategic. She explained that the country’s energy mix needs to be increasingly low carbon, noting that this option is often more cost effective and contributes to improved energy security.
The minister reported significant progress in grid modernization efforts on New Providence,
noting an 86 percent decrease in power outages due to new systems that automatically isolate faults and restore service. She credited partnerships between the Ministry of Energy,
Bahamas Power and Light, the Bahamas Grid Company and other private partners, and
confirmed that infrastructure upgrades are progressing faster than originally projected. She
said the project is currently 28 percent ahead of schedule and added that The Bahamas is now on track to boast one of the most advanced electricity grids in the region. The upgrades
include the installation of underground cables, replacement of steel poles, the integration of
new interrupters designed to minimize widespread outages and trip savers in neighborhoods
to prevent local service disruptions.
Coleby-Davis also announced that 18 new power stations featuring solar, liquefied natural
gas and battery storage technology are being built across the Family Islands, with most expected to be operational by late 2026. She said the projects represent an unprecedented
shift in the country’s energy infrastructure and that the government is carefully overseeing
each development to ensure quality, transparency and timely delivery. She said whether you
live in Bimini or Inagua, the Ministry of Energy and Transport is dedicated to ensuring
reliable, affordable, sustainable and low carbon electricity for everyone.
Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis, who attended and addressed participants, praised the
ministry’s aggressive reforms, noting that the time for action in energy was long overdue. He
said this is not theory and that it is real work with real outcomes. He added that the
government chose to take on a problem that had been postponed for too long and that the
decision is reshaping the future of the country. Davis told attendees that The Bahamas
inherited an energy system strained by outdated equipment, high costs and limited investment and that the choice was either to continue delaying or to confront the issue directly. He said the country has chosen progress and chosen action instead of delay.
The prime minister also emphasized that energy reform affects every Bahamian household
and business. He said energy security is national security and that affordable energy is the
foundation for a resilient and competitive economy. Davis noted that power purchase
agreements for renewables have already been signed, updated national policy frameworks are completed and liquefied natural gas solutions will soon improve reliability and lower costs on New Providence. He added that solar microgrids are being rolled out across the archipelago and that these reforms are well underway. He said these are the first steps in a process that will benefit Bahamians for generations.
The prime minister said the Bahamas has moved from crisis management into long-term
rebuilding, explaining that the country began by rescuing a system in crisis and is now
building a reliable, cleaner and more affordable system that allows people and the economy
to grow with confidence. He also emphasized the importance of partnerships in accelerating
progress and reducing costs. Davis said the world is watching the steps being taken and that
partnerships expand capabilities and reduce risks placed on the Bahamian people.
As the summit continues, delegates are expected to participate in collaborative sessions with
local and international partners to refine policy, discuss new technology advancements and
outline future milestones for energy development. Both Coleby-Davis and Davis urged
stakeholders to remain committed to building a modern and resilient energy system. The
minister said that together the country can shape a sustainable energy future that benefits
generations to come, while the prime minister added that energy reform is one of the most
important responsibilities of this generation of Bahamians and that the country is meeting that responsibility with clarity, courage and compassion.
