NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The ongoing power crisis on Harbour Island, described as “deeply ingrained and disruptive,” is threatening the viability of one of The Bahamas’ premier luxury tourism destinations, with increasing calls for urgent, long-term sustainable solutions.
Natasha Shephard, a real estate agent and broker with Dunmore Realty who has worked on Harbour Island for the past 25 years, says she has witnessed first-hand the ongoing struggle with the island’s power supply. “Every administration assures us the problem will be resolved, yet it continues year after year without a lasting solution.”
According to Shephard, many homeowners have been forced to install generators, which hum constantly day and night, however this is only a temporary fix. “While some visitors are understanding, others leave disappointed after losing perishable food or being unable to shower before an evening out,” she noted.
Shephard recalls the infamous four-day outage during Christmas 2019: “I will never forget when Harbour Island experienced a four-day power outage during the Christmas period of 2019. Residents and tourists were left in darkness on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, and the outage stretched into four full days due to undersea cable damage caused by a boat propeller incident. There is always a story, and there is always an excuse. Sadly, frequent power outages have become part of daily life here.”
She added, “The problem is not only the outages themselves, but also the instability and electrical surges when power is restored. These surges destroy countless electronics and appliances every year, representing thousands if not millions of dollars in damage. Residents lose air conditioners, televisions, and household systems. Business owners face the loss of critical equipment such as grocery store refrigerators and freezers, while rental property owners lose RO/water pumps, AC units, and other electronics ruined. This ongoing destruction adds a hidden but significant economic toll to our community.”
“Our beach in Harbour Island has repeatedly earned top-tier recognition in the world, in the world! Shouldn’t we have an up-to-date infrastructure to match this, so we can maintain our reputation and continue attracting high-end tourism?”
Shephard noted that despite the revenue generated by the small island, the infrastructure does not reflect it. “Infrastructure challenges on Harbour Island go beyond electricity. Interruptions to water and internet service are also common. These issues do not reflect the image of a world-class tourism destination. It is especially frustrating given the revenue our island generates: millions of dollars annually in short-term rental VAT and a 10 percent tax on every property sale, as well as foreign property tax yearly. The question remains: why are these funds not reinvested in the community to modernize and maintain essential services?”
While responding to Eyewitness News, she noted that her electricity was off and her generator running, calling this “a perfect example of how deeply ingrained and disruptive this problem has become. Our outdated infrastructure can no longer keep pace with our population growth and tourism demand.”
“For the comfort of residents and visitors alike, we urgently need a long-term, sustainable solution. I urge the relevant agencies to prioritize this matter, cut through the red tape, and commit to providing Harbour Island and Eleuthera with the reliable utilities we deserve. Hopefully, either the PLP, the FNM, or the COI can finally rectify the power issue or perhaps it is time to seriously consider privatizing the power supply.”
Bahamas Power & Light (BPL), at the time, said that Harbour Island’s power issues would be resolved by the end of July following a series of prolonged outages. During a July 5 meeting with local hoteliers, BPL acknowledged challenges stemming from aging equipment, technical issues, and delayed part deliveries but noted it had made measurable progress.
