NASSAU, BAHAMAS- The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) has projected a 12 percent increase in its 2026 operating budget as it advances regulatory priorities across the electricity, natural gas, and electronic communications sectors, while simultaneously launching a search for a new Chief Executive Officer to take office within the first six months of the year.
The increase in URCA’s budget reflects expanded staffing, operational initiatives, and sector oversight, including enhanced monitoring of the Natural Gas sector, international regulatory engagements, and preparations for major infrastructure and IT projects. Four new positions are planned to support the Authority’s growing remit, while salary and benefits adjustments drive a 15 percent rise in staff costs. Professional services, premises, IT, and administrative costs have been adjusted to reflect completed projects, operational efficiencies, and ongoing strategic initiatives.
URCA’s 2026 Annual Plan has outlined its strategic objectives to maintain fair competition, protect consumer rights, support innovation, and optimize national development under the URCA Act 2009, Communications Act 2009, Electricity Act 2024, and Natural Gas Act 2024. The plan aligns with the Electronic Communications Sector Policy 2024–2027 and the National Energy Policy 2025–2030. The Authority currently regulates approximately 115,000 electricity accounts with Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) and 20,000 accounts with Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC).
Operational priorities for 2026 include completing infrastructure upgrades at Frederick House, deploying a digital Building Management and Maintenance System to optimize energy use, and implementing IT projects such as Sage ERP, DocuWare, e-licensing portals, and enhanced cybersecurity systems. Administration will modernize procurement, vendor oversight, and inventory tracking to improve cost efficiency and transparency.
Human resources initiatives will focus on technical upskilling, leadership development, succession planning, and knowledge transfer, with specialized training tailored to the unique regulatory challenges of The Bahamas’ archipelagic geography. URCA will continue cultivating an agile, technically strong workforce capable of managing complex intersections across energy, natural gas, and electronic communications sectors.
Internationally, URCA will support The Bahamas in hosting the ITU World Telecommunication/ICT Policy Forum 2026 and in securing the country’s nomination for Deputy Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union. The Youth in ICT programme will expand to provide additional exposure for Bahamian students to local and global ICT opportunities.
Additionally, URCA has released the third-round Consultation Document for the 5G regulatory framework (ECS 01/2026), the final stage of stakeholder engagement. The document covers spectrum assignment and pricing, license conditions, coverage obligations, quality of service, infrastructure resilience, and network security, consistent with national objectives in the Electronic Communications Sector Policy 2024–2027. Written submissions are due by 8 April 2026, after which URCA will issue a Statement of Results and Final Decision.
The 2026 Annual Plan positions URCA to maintain regulatory oversight, drive sector modernization, and implement national policy objectives, while supporting technological innovation, infrastructure resilience, and workforce capability development across The Bahamas.
