While Deputy Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis has bluntly refused to comment on the revelation that Bahamas Power & Light Company Limited (BPL) may have to increase electricity prices, directors of the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers' Confederation (BCCEC) have met with BPL CEO Pamela Hill, and Guardian Business understands the price issue was at the center of the meeting's agenda.
In the press statement released following the meeting, however, the chamber remained mum on the question of whether or not the chamber would support a rate hike. The price adjustment was mentioned only in passing, with indication of the chamber's current position on the proposal.
However, the chamber said "both sides committed to further candid and transparent dialogue, sharing of views and perspectives and strong collaboration".
According to the BCCEC, the meeting was arranged to introduce Hill to the BCCEC and to open the lines of communication between the two organizations, given that BPL - through its parent company, Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) - is a BCCEC member, and because the reliability and affordability of electricity is a significant issue facing the private sector.
"The meeting was very productive, both sides candidly discussing the challenges facing their respective constituents. The significance of energy security in The Bahamas was deliberated and agreed upon and the role of BPL in the relevant pillar of the National Development Plan - the built environment - was highlighted.
"Further, the discussion provided an opportunity to commence an understanding of the strategic goals and plans of BPL for which Power Secure, Inc. has been hired as the manager with relevant expertise to implement these plans and achieve the goals," the chamber said.
These "strategic goals" are sure to have included the rate hike, which Hill has indicated would be for BPL customers using more than 400 kilowatt hours per week. And indeed, the chamber said, "It was well understood among the participants that the long-term objectives of highest reliability, best affordability and superior customer service require short to medium term actions."
In fact, the BCCEC said with a greater appreciation of the overall strategic plan of BPL, key performance indicators (KPIs) against which management will be evaluated, and the actions in the short, medium and long terms necessary to achieve the plan, it could "objectively assess various initiatives that are being and will be proposed by BPL that would impact pricing and reliability of electricity and how these would impact businesses in particular and economic growth in general".
Hill is to present the plans of BPL and its manager, PowerSecure, Inc. to the members of the BCCEC and other interested participants at a breakfast briefing.
"The BCCEC looks forward to a strong working relationship with BPL, which will result in maximum input by both sides in achieving energy security for The Bahamas. Further, the BCCEC commits to keeping its members and other relevant interested parties apprised through its authorized spokespersons to ensure accuracy of information and the fulfillment of the BCCEC's fiduciary responsibilities," the release said.
K. Quincy Parker, Guardian Business Editor
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