NASSAU, BAHAMAS- The government has signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with INTI Corporation/ Madeline Solar Power Limited for a 20MW solar plant at Bahamas Power and Light’s (BPL) Blue Hills Power Station. The project is expected to take 18 months to complete and will employ 100 Bahamians.
Prime Minister Philip Davis while speaking at the PPA signing ceremony stated, “INTI’s solar project will integrate seamlessly into the national grid, adding critical capacity at the Blue Hills Power Station. This project, which combines seventy megawatts of solar power with thirty-five megawatts of battery storage, is designed to stabilize, sustain, and support our growing energy demands.” He added, “Our solar expansion goes beyond New Providence. Across our Family Islands, independent power producers are laying the foundation for a cleaner, more independent energy future. From Abaco to Andros, Eleuthera to Exuma, Long Island to San Salvador, the transition to renewables is happening with tailor-made solutions for each island.”
Minister of Energy and Transport, JoBeth Coleby-Davis, commented on the PPA signing, saying: “The PPA signing ceremony between BPL and Madeline Solar Power Limited is a significant step forward. For those joining us via the media, PPAs are standard practice in the energy sector and represent a critical partnership between public and private entities. It is the firm position of the Davis Administration that these public-private partnerships will assist in powering our energy transformation. Through a transparent and rigorous vetting process, Madeline Solar and other Bahamian companies were selected to enhance energy independence on New Providence, utilizing clean fuels and renewables.”
She continued: “Madeline Solar Farm will be located at Blue Hills Power Station and will provide at least 20 megawatts of power. Additionally, BPL workers will be involved in this project, gaining valuable skills and training. The PPA includes clearly defined key performance indicators (KPIs) and penalties for non-performance, as well as provisions to lock down rates, protecting Bahamian households and businesses.”
Minister Coleby-Davis also addressed the global uncertainty surrounding energy transition, saying: “While there are concerns about the global commitment to reducing carbon emissions and expanding renewable energy, the Davis Administration remains focused on transitioning our energy sector for the benefit of all Bahamians. We have already made significant strides, including the passing of the Electricity and Natural Gas Act, the implementation of the equity rate adjustment initiative at BPL (with zero-rated base rates for the first 200 kilowatts of electricity for all residential consumers), and the expansion of renewable energy projects in schools. In the coming days, we will announce additional PPAs for renewable energy projects and provide updates on our progress in introducing utility-scale LNG to the Bahamas.”
Bahamas Power and Light CEO, Toni Seymour, expressed excitement over the collaboration, emphasizing BPL’s commitment to reducing power costs. “This project is an important step towards our goal of achieving 30 percent renewable energy by 2030,” Seymour said.
Owen Bethel, president and CEO of Into Corporation, expressed honor at being considered for such a major utility-scale solar installation. He noted th the Madeline Solar Plant, combined with the Lucaya Solar project in Freeport and parallel build-out projects in Exuma, will make the company the largest independent power producer in the country. The Blue Hills solar plant’s output will represent approximately 7.4 percent of BPL’s power demand in New Providence.
