FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 17, 2025

MIAMI, Florida — Within the next six months, Bahamas Power and Light Company (BPL) Ltd. is targeting a major shift toward more environmentally friendly and sustainable power generation. BPL CEO Toni Seymour revealed today that the Clifton Pier Power Station is expected to bring its first Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) engines online in the first quarter of 2026.

“We’re now in 2025, and we’re on the cusp of something transformative,” Seymour said. “Once the LNG terminal is completed, we expect the first LNG generators to come online in Q1 2026. That means we’ll be burning cleaner fuel, and as we implement LNG across the Family Islands and New Providence—where we see our peak load—the volume of fuel we consume will be lower. As a result, fuel costs will become more stable, and ultimately, customers will see a reduction in their electricity bills.”

She further emphasized that BPL’s shift to LNG is about more than cost savings—it’s part of a broader commitment to environmental responsibility. “As corporate citizens, we are focused on reducing our carbon footprint and decreasing our reliance on fossil fuels,” she explained. “We are on the brink of moving the energy sector into the 21st century, and I’m proud that we’re finally heading in that direction.”

The remarks were made during Seymour’s participation at CARIF 2025, currently being held in Miami, Florida from September 16–17. The forum gathers regional and global leaders to explore opportunities and challenges in executing transformative infrastructure projects, with energy reform high on the agenda.

BPL’s push toward cleaner energy is driven by its New Energy Era reform, a comprehensive initiative that includes the introduction of LNG, the establishment of Independent Power Producers (IPPs) in the Family Islands, and the rollout of utility-scale solar farms in New Providence. According to Seymour, these steps will not only improve grid resilience but also help bring down the cost of electricity for consumers.

She noted that three solar farms are currently planned for New Providence: one behind CV Bethel High School, one in the Coral Harbour area, and one adjacent to the existing Baillou Hills Power Station. To support these installations, BPL will also deploy Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), which will ensure stability in the event of intermittent solar output caused by cloud cover or adverse weather.

Seymour pointed to BPL’s successful solar project in Ragged Island as a model for what’s to come. “What we’ve learned from Ragged Island is that the system works. The solar panels feed energy into the grid and charge the batteries, and when battery power runs low, generators kick in. Although those engines still run on diesel, they operate only three to four hours a day. That’s a significant reduction in fuel costs compared to conventional generation running 24/7.”

She added that once this model is implemented across other islands and in New Providence, it will significantly reduce reliance on fossil fuels, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and ultimately reduce the fuel surcharge seen on customer bills.

Seymour also explained that distributed generation is a practical solution for the Family Islands, where communities are often dispersed across wide geographical areas. “We’ve found that distributed generation works best for us. Smaller generating units that serve individual settlements provide more reliability and flexibility. As we move toward our New Energy Era—with more solar, BESS, microgrids, and other innovations—we believe distributed energy will strengthen the resilience of our network overall.”

As BPL continues to transform its operations through cleaner and more sustainable practices, the company remains committed to delivering reliable, affordable, and environmentally responsible power to the Bahamian people. Seymour concluded that while there is still work to be done, the path forward is clear—and BPL is ready to lead the way into a more sustainable energy future.