NASSAU, BAHAMAS— Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) is advancing a major shift toward cleaner and more sustainable power generation, with CEO Toni Seymour confirming that the Clifton Pier Power Station will bring its first Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) engines online in the first quarter of 2026.
“We’re now in 2025, and we’re on the cusp of something transformative,” Seymour said. “Once the LNG terminal is completed, we expect the first LNG generators to come online in Q1 2026. That means we’ll be burning cleaner fuel, and as we implement LNG across the Family Islands and New Providence—where we see our peak load—the volume of fuel we consume will be lower. As a result, fuel costs will become more stable, and ultimately, customers will see a reduction in their electricity bills.”
Seymour emphasized that the transition to LNG is part of a broader commitment to environmental responsibility. “As corporate citizens, we are focused on reducing our carbon footprint and decreasing our reliance on fossil fuels,” she explained. “We are on the brink of moving the energy sector into the 21st century, and I’m proud that we’re finally heading in that direction.”
The remarks were made during Seymour’s participation at CARIF 2025, a regional energy forum in Miami that brings together leaders to discuss opportunities and challenges in executing transformative infrastructure projects.
BPL’s New Energy Era initiative encompasses LNG adoption, the introduction of Independent Power Producers (IPPs) in the Family Islands, and the rollout of utility-scale solar farms in New Providence. These measures aim to enhance grid resilience while reducing electricity costs for consumers.
Three solar farms are currently planned for New Providence: behind CV Bethel High School, in Coral Harbour, and adjacent to the Baillou Hills Power Station. To complement these installations, BPL will deploy Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), ensuring stable energy supply even during intermittent solar output caused by cloud cover or adverse weather.
Seymour highlighted the company’s solar project in Ragged Island as a successful model. “What we’ve learned from Ragged Island is that the system works. The solar panels feed energy into the grid and charge the batteries, and when battery power runs low, generators kick in. Although those engines still run on diesel, they operate only three to four hours a day. That’s a significant reduction in fuel costs compared to conventional generation running 24/7.”
Scaling this model across other islands and New Providence, BPL expects to significantly reduce reliance on fossil fuels, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and decrease the fuel surcharge on customer bills.
Seymour also noted that distributed generation is particularly effective for the Family Islands, where communities are geographically dispersed. “We’ve found that distributed generation works best for us. Smaller generating units that serve individual settlements provide more reliability and flexibility. As we move toward our New Energy Era—with more solar, BESS, microgrids, and other innovations—we believe distributed energy will strengthen the resilience of our network overall.”
As BPL continues to implement cleaner and more sustainable practices, the company remains committed to delivering reliable, affordable, and environmentally responsible electricity to Bahamians. Seymour concluded that while challenges remain, “the path forward is clear—and BPL is ready to lead the way into a more sustainable energy future.”
