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Energy Minister announces major steps in local use of cleaner, renewable energy

Mon, Apr 14th 2025, 11:44 AM
Environment

Minister of Energy and Transport, the Hon. JoBeth Coleby-Davis on Wednesday addressed the signing ceremony of a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Eco Energy Bahamas Limited, which emanated from Request for Proposals (RFP) for New Providence Micro-Grids and New Energy Generation via Renewables, with Energy Storage Systems.  The RFP was  launched last year by the Government of The Bahamas and BPL.  The signing ceremony took place at the Office of the Prime MInister.

The goal of the RFP was to create more independence in energy generation on New Providence, utilizing clean fuel and renewables, with Wednesday's signing representing a significant step forward.  

In addition the minister announced the signing of three Power Purchase Agreements with EA Energy and The Exumas Renewable Energy Corporation for Abaco, Eleuthera, and Exuma as a result of Request for Proposals (RFP) for Family Island New Energy Generation via Micro- Grids, Clean Fuel & Renewables that was launched in 2023 by the Government of The Bahamasand BPL.  These agreements were also signed on Wednesday, at the Office of the Prime Minister.

The goal of the RFP was to identify Independent Power Producer (IPP) projects to offer electricity generation with clean fuel, renewables and battery energy storage systems in the Family Islands, she said.

The minister said these projects will regulate resource management, install energy storage capacity, facilitate new generation capabilities, and enhance sustainability efforts. Further, the development of microgrids on these various islands will ensure consistent and reliable power output for its inhabitants, 24 hours a day.

Minister Coleby-Davis said: "The requirement for battery energy storage systems to be incorporated in each project is crucial for us to ensureseamless backup power in the event of a loss of the primary generation system. To ensure the success of these projects, microgrid controllers will be employed across all microgrids around the Family Islands. This will improve efficiency, maximize savings, and increase reliability by alerting BPL of any outages or changes to the system."

To ensure the successful day-to-day operation of the microgrid, "BPL staff on the respective islands will be trained to manage and operate these new systems.  BPL will sign two PPAs with EA Energy – one for Abacoand the other for Eleuthera.

"In Abaco, the goal is 30MW of LNG generation with 13.3 MW solar and a 15MW hours battery energy storage system. In Eleuthera, the focus is 19.97MW LNG generation with 8.7 MW solar and a 10 MW hours battery energy storage system.  The PPA with The Exumas Renewable EnergyCorporation will include 8.5MW LNG generation, 3MW solar, and a 6 MW hours of battery energy storage system.

"As I have said before, all PPAs include clearly defined key performance indicators and penalties for non-performance. Further, clear provisions have also been included to lock down rates, which will ultimately protect Bahamian households and businesses.  In signing these PPAs, we are taking a pivotal step forward in the transition to cleaner and more efficient fuels in our Family Islands."

Minister of Energy and Transport, the Hon. JoBeth Coleby-Davis on Wednesday addressed the signing ceremony of a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Eco Energy Bahamas Limited, which emanated from Request for Proposals (RFP) for New Providence Micro-Grids and New Energy Generation via Renewables, with Energy Storage Systems.  The RFP was  launched last year by the Government of The Bahamas and BPL.  The signing ceremony took place at the Office of the Prime MInister.
The goal of the RFP was to create more independence in energy generation on New Providence, utilizing clean fuel and renewables, with Wednesday's signing representing a significant step forward.  
In addition the minister announced the signing of three Power Purchase Agreements with EA Energy and The Exumas Renewable Energy Corporation for Abaco, Eleuthera, and Exuma as a result of Request for Proposals (RFP) for Family Island New Energy Generation via Micro- Grids, Clean Fuel & Renewables that was launched in 2023 by the Government of The Bahamas
and BPL.  These agreements were also signed on Wednesday, at the Office of the Prime Minister.
The goal of the RFP was to identify Independent Power Producer (IPP) projects to offer electricity generation with clean fuel, renewables and battery energy storage systems in the Family Islands, she said.
The minister said these projects will regulate resource management, install energy storage capacity, facilitate new generation capabilities, and enhance sustainability efforts. Further, the development of microgrids on these various islands will ensure consistent and reliable power output for its inhabitants, 24 hours a day.
Minister Coleby-Davis said: "The requirement for battery energy storage systems to be incorporated in each project is crucial for us to ensure
seamless backup power in the event of a loss of the primary generation system. To ensure the success of these projects, microgrid controllers will be employed across all microgrids around the Family Islands. This will improve efficiency, maximize savings, and increase reliability by alerting BPL of any outages or changes to the system."
To ensure the successful day-to-day operation of the microgrid, "BPL staff on the respective islands will be trained to manage and operate these new systems.  BPL will sign two PPAs with EA Energy – one for Abaco
and the other for Eleuthera.
"In Abaco, the goal is 30MW of LNG generation with 13.3 MW solar and a 15MW hours battery energy storage system. In Eleuthera, the focus is 19.97MW LNG generation with 8.7 MW solar and a 10 MW hours battery energy storage system.  The PPA with The Exumas Renewable Energy
Corporation will include 8.5MW LNG generation, 3MW solar, and a 6 MW hours of battery energy storage system.
"As I have said before, all PPAs include clearly defined key performance indicators and penalties for non-performance. Further, clear provisions have also been included to lock down rates, which will ultimately protect Bahamian households and businesses.  In signing these PPAs, we are taking a pivotal step forward in the transition to cleaner and more efficient fuels in our Family Islands."
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