Bahamas Leads Energy Discussion at CARIF 2025: Minister Coleby-Davis and BPL CEO Share Vision for Sustainable Energy Future
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 16, 2025
MIAMI, Florida — Minister of Energy & Transport, Hon. JoBeth Coleby-Davis, and Bahamas Power and Light Company Ltd. (BPL) CEO, Toni Seymour, are in Miami this week engaging with regional leaders in the energy sector at the Caribbean Infrastructure Forum (CARIF) 2025, held from September 16–17, 2025.
CARIF brings together leaders from across the Caribbean and around the world, focusing on transformative infrastructure projects with energy as a central theme. The forum provides insights into both challenges and opportunities facing the region’s energy sector.
Minister Coleby-Davis participated in a panel alongside regional leaders, including Senior Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office of Barbados, Dr. Hon. William F. Duguid, and Minister of Communication, Public Works, Water Services, Physical Planning & Environment, Posts, Labour and Disaster Management, Hon. Spencer R. Branch Arch.
During the session, Minister Coleby-Davis outlined The Bahamas’ vision for a “New Energy Era”, focused on sustainable, resilient power generation. The plan includes integrating solar micro-grids, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to ensure balanced and reliable nationwide energy production.
“The government is committed to improving our energy infrastructure, but we are equally focused on ensuring that these improvements are sustainable and will benefit future generations.”
She emphasized lessons learned from other Caribbean nations. “A key point shared on the panel was from a Barbadian minister who discussed how their energy sector advancement destabilized their grid due to the lack of BESS integration. During our initial research, we identified this as a potential pitfall, so we ensured our energy plan incorporated both renewable solar energy and BESS to avoid grid destabilization.”
BPL CEO Toni Seymour echoed the importance of regional collaboration. “Being part of meetings like this allows us to engage not only in discussions about the future of BPL but also to learn from both regional and global counterparts,” Seymour said.
“Many of our Caribbean neighbors face similar environmental conditions, such as storms, rebuilding after natural disasters, and the push toward renewable energy. It’s critical that we learn not just from what works, but also from what hasn’t worked so well.”
On September 17, Seymour will join a panel on funding renewable energy projects, challenges utilities face, and future goals. “Our new energy era and the push toward 30% renewable energy integration by 2030 are central to our discussions here,” she added.
Minister Coleby-Davis closed by underscoring regional collaboration to facilitate trade. “We must develop plans that capitalize on intra-regional trade to ensure easier access to raw materials needed for infrastructure projects. Relying solely on trade with countries like China or those in Africa presents logistical challenges that we must work to overcome.”
As The Bahamas continues to modernize and diversify its energy sector, CARIF 2025 serves as a platform for knowledge-sharing, partnerships, and ensuring the nation plays a significant role in shaping the Caribbean’s energy future.
Media Contact
Bahamas Power and Light Company Ltd.Theodore E. Sealy, Director of Communications
