NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Energy Minister Jobeth Coleby-Davis sought to make it abundantly clear on Friday that the Utilities Regulation & Competition Authority (URCA) makes the final call on utility matters in Grand Bahama, her explanation came after a recent public back-and forth concerning who has the rightful power to regulate utilities in the nation’s second city.
Her comments are the latest from government officials who have been defending URCA as the sole authority which can green light a power increase in Grand Bahama – an issue that emerged after The Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC) sought approval from the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) for a 6.3% increase in its base rate of electricity, a request which government and the opposition officials have opposed.
The Grand Bahama Port Authority asserted itself as the “sole regulator” for power supply on the island, pushing back against government’s claims that URCA is “the boss,” according to The Electricity Act that was passed in early 2024.
Days ago, Coleby-Davis issued a statement, calling on URCA to “enforce stringent compliance concerning the Electricity Act and to halt any rate increases that have not undergone proper regulatory review.”
