Minister of Works Alfred Sears said yesterday he is "very pleased" with the performance of Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) in supplying the new $300 million Nassau Cruise Port as well as the new US Embassy under construction at the junction of East Street and Shirley Street with power.

Sears told the House of Assembly that BPL has expanded its substation on East Street, "not only to supply power to the cruise port, but also the new United States Embassy and the surrounding area".

"The first phase of this work was competed in May and ahead of the port's official opening," he advised.

"BPL is now going into the next phase of the expansion that will not only power the new multimillion-dollar cruise [port] but also bolster supply for the expanding area inclusive of the US Embassy. Also, there's the completion of the electrical expansion in Downtown Nassau.

"It means that BPL will also forge ahead with other major works across the island.

"Again, in partnership with government agencies, BPL is a major contributor to the Gladstone Road project and is currently, as we speak, Madam Speaker, arranging for the removal of the electricity poles along Gladstone Road."

Nassau Cruise Port Limited, meanwhile, is continuing its planning for the eventual introduction of shore power produced by renewable energy because it is the "right thing to do", NCP's CEO Mike Maura Jr. previously said.

Maura said shore power would be a game changer for the port, explaining that cruise ships require between seven and 12 megawatts of power while in port. The introduction of shore power created by renewables would allow ships burning fossil fuels while in port to cut those engines.

Maura said this would require large solar farms tied to Bahamas Power and Light's grid in order to work.

"It's also is a game changer from a destination perspective and that of the ships. Whether they're cargo ships or cruise ships, it serves their interests and their shareholder's interest," said Maura in May.

"And you know, the regulators that govern them are looking and putting pressure on them to get as green as possible... And so, for us here in Nassau to be able to have, for example, a solar farm that can feed both the cruise port and the container port with green power, would be a game changer."

He said the port is working with the government to support the idea, given that it would take government land to facilitate a large enough solar farm.

Maura explained that the port currently has 1.4 megawatts of solar power for its own use.

The cruise port also supports pleasure yachts and is looking to house many more of them in the future in a phase two buildout of the berthing facilities.

At the cruise port opening on May 26, Prime Minister Philip Davis said the port incorporates environmental sustainability in key areas "reflecting our commitment to protecting the environment while growing our economy".

"This includes a soon to become 1.5 megawatt solar facility to provide sustainably generated power to the port," Davis said.

"Today, we extend an invitation to investors and developers to join us in this ambitious endeavor.

"We recognize the value of public-private partnerships and our government stands ready to meet you in the middle, fostering a collaboration that will benefit our city, our economy and our people.

"Together, we can shape the future of Nassau and create a vibrant and prosperous urban center that we can all be proud of."

The post Sears: BPL gets high marks for supplying power to cruise port, new US embassy appeared first on The Nassau Guardian.

The post Sears: BPL gets high marks for supplying power to cruise port, new US embassy appeared first on The Nassau Guardian.

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