Good Morning,
And thank you all for joining me as we complete the final two of three signings scheduled for today.
Less than an hour ago, we signed partnerships to deliver solar power to New Providence.
Now, we have gathered to deliver LNG and solar power on the islands of Abaco, Eleuthera, and Exuma.
Obviously, both LNG and solar power have huge roles to play in our plans.
Using the sun to generate energy in the islands of Sun, Sand, and Sea simply makes sense.
It is past time for us to fulfill our potential for more sustainable, renewable energy in our nation.
We have expedited progress across all fronts, expanding our LNG and solar capacity throughout New Providence and the Family Islands to ensure that every major island in our archipelago feels the impact of our energy reforms.
We envision a future with solar microgrids on every major island, integrated seamlessly with cleaner fuels and a modern grid, to power local economies.
Today, we take another significant step toward this brighter energy future, as we enter into two partnerships that will transform energy access and affordability in Abaco, Eleuthera, and the Exumas.
So much has changed in just a few years.
When this administration took office in 2021, we inherited a broken energy system and crumbling power infrastructure, a power company more than half a billion dollars in debt, and electricity costs that placed too much of a strain on local households.
In both New Providence and our Family Islands, the situation was dire, with generation engines that needed complete replacement and transmission systems vulnerable to the increasingly more powerful and more frequent storms that threaten our nation.
The complexity of these challenges called for bold, forward-thinking solutions – solutions that would not merely address our immediate needs but would position The Bahamas as a leader in sustainable energy development in our region.
Today, I am proud to announce that we are partnering with EA Energy to develop a solar and LNG-powered microgrid in Abaco and Eleuthera, and we are partnering with The Exumas Renewable Energy Corporation to set up a microgrid in Exuma.
These partnerships will transform power generation on these islands, as we introduce LNG and utility-scale solar to these islands.
In Wilson City, Abaco, EA Energy will develop a 30MW LNG generation facility, complemented by 13.3MW of solar power and a 15MWh battery energy storage system.
In Hatchet Bay, Eleuthera, they will build a 14.7MW LNG generation plant, with 10MW of solar capacity and a 5MWh battery system.
In Georgetown, Exuma, The Exumas Renewable Energy Corporation will deliver 8.5MW of LNG generation, 3MW of solar, and 6MWh of battery storage capacity.
These upgrades reflect our belief that, as we roll out our energy reforms, the Family Islands deserve the same quality and reliability of energy as New Providence.
Across our nation, I am told stories of struggle from residents about the burden of high electricity costs on their families and businesses – the high costs that force some people to choose between buying groceries or paying their light bills; the outages that leave families sweating during the summer months and businesses absorbing the cost of lost inventory and appliances.
It is impossible to hear these stories and not feel moved to make a difference. That is why the only model for energy reform I was willing to accept is one that could deliver relief as quickly as possible, for as many people as possible, on as many islands as possible.
This meant that these reforms had to be comprehensive, feasible for short and long-term impact, and pursued just as aggressively in our Family Islands as they are in New Providence.
We are tackling the whole energy sector – from the way we generate and store energy to the way we transmit and distribute it.
We are transforming it all – working along with partners like EA Energy, the Exumas Renewable Energy Corporation and others, who have bought into our vision and understand our passion for a more affordable, more stable, and more inclusive future for all Bahamians.
This new energy era will power the new Bahamian economy, lowering the cost of living and the cost of doing business, and opening up doors of opportunity for all Bahamians.
Thank you.
May God Bless the People and Commonwealth of The Bahamas.