NASSAU, BAHAMAS- Prime Minister Philip Davis on Monday positioned the New Providence Gas LNG Terminal as the centerpiece of the Government’s $1.14 billion energy transformation plan, saying the investment will strengthen energy security, improve electricity reliability and support the country’s transition to cleaner power.
Delivering the keynote address during the groundbreaking ceremony at Clifton Pier, Davis said the liquefied natural gas (LNG) project represents “an important milestone for our country” and marks “a new chapter in how we power The Bahamas” as his administration continues efforts to modernize an aging electricity system, diversify the country’s fuel supply and expand renewable energy generation.
Addressing recent power disruptions across New Providence, the Prime Minister acknowledged the frustration experienced by residents and businesses while emphasizing that the challenges underscore the need to rebuild an electricity grid that he said had been neglected for decades. “Your frustration is real and your concerns are valid,” Davis said, noting that “this has been one of the hottest summers on record” as power systems around the world struggle under the pressure of extreme heat, surging demand and aging infrastructure.
Davis said his administration inherited an energy system requiring extensive reconstruction rather than routine maintenance. “We did not inherit a system that simply needed minor repairs. We inherited a grid that, in parts, was over fifty years old,” he said. “This was not a system that could be patched. It was a system that had to be rebuilt.”
He outlined the Government’s energy reform efforts since taking office in 2021, including the introduction of solar technology in the Family Islands, negotiations for cleaner energy sources in New Providence, Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion pilot projects, solar microgrid initiatives and the launch of the New Energy Vision before announcing the $1.14 billion transformation plan in 2025, anchored by the LNG terminal now under construction.
Describing the terminal as a critical component of the country’s long-term energy strategy, Davis said, “Today’s introduction of LNG is a major step because it allows us to diversify our fuel supply, strengthen energy security, and support a more reliable electricity system.”
The Prime Minister also reaffirmed the Government’s renewable energy goals, saying The Bahamas remains committed to achieving 30 percent renewable energy generation by 2030 with 128 megawatts of solar capacity. He noted that solar installations have nearly doubled since 2021, with capacity increasing by more than 150 percent, while projects continue to advance across New Providence, Abaco, Eleuthera and Exuma.
Concluding his address, Davis said every major policy decision is guided by one principle: “How does this improve the lives of Bahamians?” He pledged that the Government would continue investing in infrastructure and pursuing energy solutions aimed at delivering a more dependable electricity system, adding, “Your government will continue working toward a Bahamas where the lights stay on and where energy can support the hopes and ambitions of the Bahamian people.
