Umair Gaines
Electricity in the Bahamas is supplied by two large utility companies: the Bahamas Electricity Company (BEC) and the Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC). The BEC, established in 1956, provides electricity to all of the Bahama Islands except for Grand Bahama and produces about 80% of the country's electricity. The GBPC, on the other hand, serves Grand Bahama and generates the remaining 20% of the country's electricity. The Bahamas has a high per capita consumption of electricity, and while it imports most of its energy, it can be self-sufficient with domestically produced energy.
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What You'll Learn
Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC)
The Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) is a government-owned corporation that has been providing electricity to the Bahamas for over 50 years. With the exception of Grand Bahama, the BEC provides electricity to all of the Bahama Islands.
The BEC operates 30 generating plants across 25 island locations, serving 100,000 customers, with a peak capacity of 438 MW. The majority of these stations use diesel engines, with a large gas-turbine plant located at the Blue Hills Power Station.
The BEC has a subsidiary, Bahamas Power and Light (BPL), which serves customers in New Providence and the Family Islands. BPL provides 83% of the power in the Bahamian grid, which equates to 535 megawatts as of 2023.
The BEC was founded in 1956 with the passing of the Electricity Act. It has been committed to providing customers with safe, reliable electricity in the most cost-efficient manner possible. The corporation serves approximately 85% of all electricity consumers in the nation.
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Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC)
The Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC) is responsible for providing electricity to Grand Bahama, while the Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) supplies power to all other Bahama Islands. BEC operates 25 island locations, serving 100,000 customers, with a peak capacity of 438 MW. Most of its stations use diesel engines, and it has a large gas-turbine plant at the Blue Hills Power Station.
GBPC has a generating capacity of over 100 megawatts, powering thousands of customers across Grand Bahama. The company provides resources and updates on energy and safety on its website, including information on outages, energy savings, and billing.
GBPC's website also offers customers tips on energy savings, safety, and scam prevention. Additionally, it provides updates on company adjustments, such as the postponement of the Storm Recovery and Stabilization charge.
The company encourages customers to browse its media library for updates and information on energy and safety. It also offers insights into how electricity is generated at its plants and then distributed across Grand Bahama.
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Energy sources
The Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) is a government-owned corporation that provides electricity to all of the Bahama Islands except for Grand Bahama. BEC operates 30 generating plants in 25 island locations, with most of these stations using diesel engines. A large gas turbine plant is installed at the Blue Hills Power Station. In 2009, 44% of electricity was produced using heavy fuel oil, with the remaining 56% coming from automotive diesel oil.
BEC has a subsidiary in Bahamas Power and Light (BPL), serving customers in New Providence and the Family Islands. As of 2023, BPL provides 83% of the power in the Bahamian grid, amounting to 535 megawatts.
The Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC) provides the remaining electricity for Grand Bahama, with a total generating capacity of 137 MW. This includes a 27 MW diesel plant, two gas-fired plants combining for 35 MW, and a 75 MW steam plant.
The Bahamas import 99% of their energy needs, mostly in the form of oil products. In 2022, renewable energy accounted for around 1.1% of total consumption, including wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal energy sources. Hydropower is also utilised, although it is only partially renewable due to the use of dams and reservoirs.
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Energy consumption
The Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) is a government-owned corporation that provides electricity to all of the Bahama Islands except for Grand Bahama. BEC was founded in 1956 by the passing of the Electricity Act and, as of 2019, produces about 80% of the nation's electricity. The remaining 20% is supplied by the Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC).
In 2023, the total consumption of electric energy in the Bahamas was 2.04 billion kWh, with a per capita average of 5,097 kWh. This high per capita consumption is due to the country's reliance on energy-intensive industries, such as tourism, which contributes directly or indirectly to more than 60% of the overall GDP. The Bahamas imports 99% of its energy needs, mostly in the form of oil products.
The BEC operates 30 generating plants in 25 island locations, with a peak capacity of 438 MW. Most of these stations use diesel engines, with a large gas-turbine plant installed at the Blue Hills Power Station. In 2009, 44% of electricity was produced using heavy fuel oil, and 56% came from automotive diesel oil.
The Ministry of the Environment (MOTE) is the government agency responsible for the energy sector in the Bahamas. It is supported by the Bahamas Environment, Science & Technology Commission (BEST), which assesses the environmental impact of energy and electricity sector projects.
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Environmental impact
The Bahamas currently relies heavily on imported fossil fuels for electricity generation, with 99% of its energy needs being imported, mostly in the form of oil products. This has led to frequent power outages and high, volatile energy prices for consumers and businesses. The Bahamas Electricity Company (BEC) produces about 80% of the electricity, with the remaining 20% coming from the Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC). In 2009, 44% of electricity was produced using heavy fuel oil, and the remaining 56% came from automotive diesel oil.
This heavy reliance on fossil fuels has adverse environmental impacts. The burning of fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and fluorinated gases, contributing to climate change. The Bahamas is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, with rising sea levels and increased frequency and severity of hurricanes posing significant threats. By the end of the century, IMF analysis suggests that rising sea levels could place up to 41% of the land in the Bahamas and 22% of its population below sea level. Additionally, the lack of energy efficiency and conservation measures exacerbates the environmental impact, as estimated 27% of electricity demand could be saved through efficiency measures.
Recognizing the need for a transition to a greener electricity mix, the Bahamian government has announced plans to invest in modern electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure and increase the share of renewable energy. The government aims to take advantage of the abundant solar energy available year-round in the Bahamas, targeting a 30% share of solar energy by 2030. Investing in solar energy not only reduces the environmental impact of electricity generation but also minimizes logistical challenges associated with other forms of energy.
The transition to renewable energy sources is expected to be financed by the private sector, with support from the public sector and the international community. Innovative financing solutions, such as refinancing expensive debt with cheaper funding, can free up additional public resources to preserve the country's natural habitats and adapt to climate change. By partnering with private businesses and international grants, the Bahamas can secure a sustainable future, protecting its natural beauty and capital for future generations.
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Frequently asked questions
Electricity in the Bahamas is generated through a combination of sources, including diesel engines, gas-fired plants, and steam plants. The Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) operates 30 generating plants across 25 island locations, with most of these plants using diesel engines.
The Ministry of the Environment (MOTE) is the government agency responsible for overseeing the energy sector in the Bahamas. The Bahamas Environment, Science & Technology Commission (BEST) supports MOTE by assessing the environmental impact of energy and electricity projects.
The Bahamas relies heavily on imported energy sources, particularly oil products. In 2009, 44% of electricity was produced using heavy fuel oil, and the remaining 56% came from automotive diesel oil.
While the Bahamas primarily uses non-renewable sources, there is a small contribution from renewable energy. In 2022, renewable energy accounted for around 1.1% of total energy consumption. The Bahamas has the potential to generate electricity from wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal sources, but the actual utilization of these sources is dependent on various factors, such as weather conditions.
The Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) is the main electricity provider, supplying power to all the Bahama Islands except for Grand Bahama. The Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC) provides electricity to Grand Bahama and is the second-largest supplier in the country.
