Bahamas Power Grid Crisis Persists as New Bahamas Grid Company Takes Over

The Bahamas has been experiencing widespread electricity outages and load‑shedding, prompting criticism of the Davis administration’s energy policy. Opposition leaders say the government’s decisions, including abandoning a fuel hedge and privatizing assets, have led to higher bills and unreliable service.

In October 2024 the government signed a 25‑year public‑private partnership with Island Grid Solutions, creating the Bahamas Grid Company (BGC) to assume responsibility for transmission and distribution. Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) contributed $100 million in assets and retained a 40 % equity stake. BGC’s CEO Dareo McKenzie says the company employs about 100 workers, plans to expand to 150, and is working to modernise an aging grid while awaiting formal transfer of remaining assets from BPL. The COO, Ryan Holder, highlighted challenges such as aging sub‑transmission equipment, transformer issues and oil leaks.

Both parties acknowledge that completing the asset transfer and building a skilled workforce are critical steps toward improving reliability and ending the current power crisis.