Shaping a Sustainable Energy Future through People, Power and Partnerships
Friends,
Good morning.
To our young people, our energy professionals, our partners from across the private sector, the public service, and our Family Islands, thank you for being part of this moment.
Last year, we took the step of hosting the first National Energy Summit.
We set out to change the direction of our country’s energy future through practical reforms, new ideas, and stronger partnerships.
Today, as we open the second annual Summit, I am encouraged by how far we have come. More importantly, I am encouraged by the shared sense of purpose that is taking hold across our islands.
Our country understands that reliable, affordable, modern energy is central to our economic future and central to the lives of every Bahamian family.
The theme this year captures that truth clearly.
Shaping a Sustainable Energy Future through People, Power and Partnerships reminds us that progress is never automatic.
It comes from people with vision, institutions that plan and deliver, and alliances that strengthen our capacity to do more than we could do alone.
Energy reform has been one of the biggest challenges facing our country for decades.
We inherited an energy system strained by outdated infrastructure, limited investment, and high costs for households and businesses.
We also inherited a regional and global economy that demands cleaner, more efficient, and more resilient power systems.
The question before us has always been whether we are willing to tackle this challenge directly, or whether we will keep delaying hard decisions and leave our people carrying the burden.
As a government, we chose action.
We chose to take on a problem that had been postponed for far too long.
That decision is reshaping the future of this country.
Across our islands, progress is gaining strength. We now have multiple power purchase agreements signed, unlocking renewable projects that will reduce our dependence on imported fuel.
Our National Energy Policy has been updated to match global standards and place our archipelago on a credible path toward a cleaner, more reliable energy mix.
And we are introducing new LNG solutions for New Providence, guided by strict regulation and safety standards to improve reliability and reduce costs.
This is not theory. It is real work with real outcomes. And it is work that continues every day.
In December 2021, we said our focus would be on lowering costs, improving reliability, and building a modern grid.
Today, we can say that these reforms are well underway.
Solar microgrids are now being rolled out in our Family Islands.
Grid modernization is being mapped and financed.
Storage solutions are being integrated to support stability.
These are the first steps in a process that will benefit Bahamians for generations.
But even as we talk about infrastructure, policy, and investment, we must remember that energy reform is also a story about people.
When a small business owner faces a high bill, that bill is tied to the food she puts on her table and the future she prepares for her children.
When a family struggles to keep their home comfortable because of unreliable service, that is a quality-of-life issue, not a technical matter.
When a young Bahamian studies global climate priorities and wonders whether his own country will be ready for the new energy economy, that is a question about opportunity and fairness.
This is why our reforms are grounded in the values of Security, Opportunity, Affordability, and Reform, the SOAR framework guiding our national strategy.
Energy touches every one of these priorities. Energy security is national security.
Affordable energy is a foundation for a resilient and competitive economy.
Modern energy systems create new opportunities for skilled workers, technicians, installers, engineers, policymakers, and entrepreneurs.
And a modernized, clearly regulated energy sector is an example of reform that strengthens public trust and improves the quality of life across our islands.
These principles shape our agenda today.
The Energy Summit is one of the key initiatives of my administration’s agenda.
It is the space where we update Bahamians on our plans, progress, and the milestones ahead.
It is the space where we check in with our partners, refine our approach, and make sure our momentum stays strong.
And it is the space where we bring a new generation into the conversation, which is why I am pleased to see a Youth Energy Zone featured this year.
Our young people are watching climate change unfold in real time. They understand the urgency. They understand the science.
What they need is a country that matches their sense of responsibility with action.
The Youth Energy Zone is our way of saying that their knowledge, their innovation, and their leadership matter.
We want young Bahamians to see energy as a field where they can build meaningful careers.
We want them to help create new solutions.
We want them to stand at the forefront as we build a stronger and more resilient Bahamas.
During the last four years, our country has entered what we have called the New Energy Era.
This is the first time The Bahamas has undertaken a nationwide transformation of our energy system.
It is the first time we have moved to build solar projects across the archipelago at this scale.
It is the first time we have advanced a full update of our energy policy to align with long-term national development.
It is the first time we have invited such broad private sector participation in renewable generation.
These firsts are opening the door to the next phase of our progress.
We often say that we are building on progress. Energy reform is one of the clearest examples of what this means.
We began by rescuing a failing energy system from crisis.
We then moved into the recovery phase with stability and regulatory reform.
Today, we are building a reliable, cleaner, more affordable system that allows our people and our economy to grow with confidence.
These actions are not scattered. They are part of a clear and connected plan to secure the future of our country.
As we continue this work, we must also remember that partnerships are key.
No single institution can modernize an entire energy system alone.
This is why we continue to work with international investors, multilateral finance institutions, local experts, and Bahamian professionals across the sector.
Partnerships expand our capabilities and reduce the cost and risk placed on the Bahamian people.
The world is watching the steps we are taking, and many see The Bahamas as a model for how a small island nation can act with determination in the face of climate pressure and economic constraints.
The path ahead will not be simple. Transformational change takes time, careful planning, and the willingness to face obstacles with steady leadership.
But our country has chosen progress.
We have chosen action instead of delay.
We have chosen a future where Bahamians can rely on their energy system instead of worrying about it.
And we have chosen to make sure this transformation supports the creation of jobs, training opportunities, and careers for our people.
As I look across this room, I see the people who are helping to drive this progress forward.
Our engineers, regulators, technicians, students, planners, innovators, and partners all have a role to play.
The work you do will shape the next chapter of our country.
Let us use this Summit to deepen our understanding of where we stand, sharpen our plans for the months ahead, and renew our shared commitment to a future where our energy system supports growth, fairness, and national strength.
Energy reform is one of the most important responsibilities of this generation of Bahamians.
Together, we are meeting that responsibility with clarity, courage, and compassion.
And together, we will continue building on the progress we have already made.
Thank you, and I look forward to the conversations, insights, and solutions that will come from this year’s Summit.