NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bahamas Power and Light Company (BPL) has been fined nearly $30,000 by the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) for failing to report major electricity outages within the timeframe required under its license. While the fines have been imposed, URCA has suspended enforcement for 12 months, giving the utility an opportunity to demonstrate sustained compliance with its regulatory reporting obligations.
The two Final Determinations and Orders, issued by URCA on June 16, 2026, found that BPL breached Condition 24.5 of its Public Electricity Supplier License by failing to notify the regulator of major outages within the required 24-hour reporting period.
The first determination relates to a series of major outages affecting Abaco and the Abaco Cays between November 30 and December 15, 2025. URCA found that BPL submitted the required reports between December 18 and December 21, resulting in reporting delays ranging from two to 21 days. The regulator imposed a $20,000 fine.
The second determination concerns a major outage on Crooked Island on October 21, 2025. URCA said it became aware of the outage through public sources after not receiving the required report from BPL. Following an inquiry, the utility submitted its report on October 30, nine days after the outage occurred. URCA imposed an additional $9,662 fine.
URCA emphasized that timely reporting is essential to enabling the regulator to monitor service reliability, oversee restoration efforts when necessary, and fulfill its consumer protection responsibilities.
Although the fines total $29,662, URCA said enforcement and collection have been suspended for 12 months. The regulator stressed that the suspension does not cancel or reduce the penalties but gives BPL an opportunity to demonstrate sustained compliance with its license obligations. URCA warned that any future breach of its major outage reporting requirements or failure to implement required corrective measures during the suspension period could trigger enforcement and collection of the fines.
Responding to the determinations, BPL acknowledged URCA’s findings but emphasized that the decisions relate only to the timing of regulatory reports submitted following outages on Crooked Island and in Abaco during October, November and December 2025.
The utility said the determinations “do not relate to BPL’s operational response, restoration efforts, or the reliability of the electricity system.”
BPL said it welcomes the opportunity to improve its regulatory reporting processes and noted that it has already strengthened its internal procedures, increased management oversight and implemented measures to improve the consistency, accuracy and timeliness of future regulatory submissions.
As part of those efforts, BPL requested that URCA convene a joint reporting workshop involving all electricity providers operating under the Government of The Bahamas and regulated by the authority. According to the utility, URCA has agreed to host the workshop and has already developed an agenda framework aimed at standardizing reporting practices and ensuring a common understanding of regulatory requirements.
BPL also noted that during major outages, particularly on the Family Islands, engineering and operational teams must prioritize restoring electricity, ensuring public safety and assessing system conditions before completing regulatory reporting.
In a statement, the company said, “We recognize the importance of transparent and timely regulatory reporting and appreciate URCA’s collaborative approach to strengthening the process. Our goal is to ensure that outage reports are accurate, consistent and submitted efficiently while our operational teams remain focused on restoring electricity safely and as quickly as possible.”
BPL said it remains committed to working collaboratively with URCA and other regulated utilities to strengthen regulatory compliance while continuing to provide safe, reliable and resilient electricity service throughout The Bahamas.
