NASSAU, BAHAMAS– Opposition Leader Michael Pintard is demanding answers from the Davis administration over what he said is growing public outcry over soaring electricity bills, even as the government unveils a new rebate program aimed at offering summer relief.
According to Pintard, consumers across The Bahamas have reported that their Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) bills have nearly doubled in recent weeks, prompting speculation about whether surcharges are being used to offset other operational losses. Pintard accused the government of a lack of transparency and called on officials to come clean about the recent spike in fuel charge rates, which have risen more than 30 percent since the end of 2024.
“The Minister responsible for BPL must go on the record and confirm that BPL is not using any part of the surcharge to cover operating revenue losses from the ‘lower rates’ that had gone into effect,” Pintard said. “Not only would any such cross-subsidy be against the law, but it would also betray the customers to whom the Minister and the Prime Minister promised relief.”
Pintard further suggested that Bahamians may now be feeling the effects of the “price pressures” forecast in the April 2025 Energy Reform Report, which anticipated elevated costs through 2027. He dismissed the newly announced rebate program as another example of the government giving with one hand and taking away with the other.
The government on Tuesday announced a Summer Energy Rebate Program through BPL, aiming to immediately ease electricity costs for residential consumers.
According to the Ministry of Works and Utilities, effective with the July billing cycle, fuel charge rates will be reduced to 17.4 cents and 21.4 cents per kilowatt hour, down from 18.5 cents and 22.5 cents, respectively. The rebate is intended to cushion households from the cost spikes caused by increased air conditioning usage and the utility’s temporary reliance on diesel—a more expensive fuel—to maintain grid stability.
“This rebate is part of our broader effort to modernize our energy infrastructure and deliver affordable, reliable electricity across all islands,” the Office of the Prime Minister said in a statement. “We are committed to regulatory transparency and have directed BPL to engage with the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) to ensure compliance.”
The rebate is just one component of a wider national strategy. The government also reaffirmed its commitment to transitioning BPL to Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) by the fourth quarter of 2025—a move expected to significantly reduce fuel costs and stabilize long-term pricing.
As energy usage typically surges during the summer, the government and BPL are encouraging the public to adopt energy conservation practices, including setting thermostats to 78°F, using fans, unplugging unused devices, and limiting high-energy appliance use to cooler times of the day.
