We decided to share this article with readers of BAHAMAS CHRONICLE, which has a huge following among the Bahamian diaspora across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom as well as in The Bahamas and the wider Caribbean. Grand Bahama 242 News published this article by Barbara Walkin on Thursday, May 7, 2026. The article can be found here.
By BARBARA WALKIN
barbara@barefootmarketing.net
Residents across Grand Bahama are expressing mixed reactions following Tuesday’s landmark announcement that the Progressive Liberal Party administration has acquired the Grand Bahama Power Company from Emera in a move government officials say will lower electricity costs and transform the island’s energy future.
Some residents responding to the announcement shared optimism that the move could finally provide relief from years of expensive electricity bills.
Angela Pinder described the government’s decision as “great news” for the island.
“The government, I think, is doing the right thing for Grand Bahama,” she said. “We’ve been paying high bills so long, especially after Hurricane Dorian, and at a time when people were trying to get back on their feet. I applaud Prime Minister Philip Davis for this move.”
Wellington Robinson of Eight Mile Rock also welcomed the announcement.
“This is great news,” he said. “Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis and the government are to be commended.”
However, not all residents are fully convinced the transition will automatically improve service and affordability.
One small business owner, who declined to be identified, expressed concern about whether the government can maintain GBPC’s current level of reliability.
“I hope they know what they are doing,” the business owner said. “While I think the government should be in charge of certain infrastructure, the track record is not very good when it comes to power reliability across New Providence and the Family Islands.
“I know it is the people and equipment that makes the company work, so I hope they keep the team we have at Grand Bahama Power, because it doesn’t appear that the BPL team or the equipment is up to par to handle the electricity supply.”
Others, meanwhile, are taking a wait-and-see approach.
Richard Flowers told Around da Islands that he plans to reserve judgment until the first year of government ownership has passed.
“I will wait until the 12-month probationary period is up before I comment on the government’s move to control Grand Bahama Power Company,” he said.
Former Member of Parliament and Independent general election candidate Frederick McAlpine also weighed in on the government’s acquisition of the Grand Bahama Power Company, expressing cautious concern over whether the state can maintain the level of service residents have become accustomed to.
“We are yet to observe how the government will navigate this new State-owned Enterprise,” Mr McAlpine said. “Grand Bahamians are accustomed to quality service when it comes to electricity.”
Mr McAlpine’s comments echoed concerns raised by some residents and business owners who questioned whether government ownership could maintain the reliability standards currently associated with GBPC, particularly when compared to ongoing challenges faced by Bahamas Power and Light in other parts of the country.
The announcement, made during a press conference attended by Prime Minister Philip Davis, Energy Minister Jobeth Coleby-Davis, Minister for Grand Bahama Ginger Moxey, Emera executive vice-president Karen Hutt, and other senior government and utility officials, has sparked island-wide discussion about the future of electricity rates, reliability and economic development.
Under the agreement, the Government of The Bahamas, through a special purpose vehicle known as the Grand Bahama Electricity Company, will acquire all outstanding shares of GBPC. The transaction is being financed through a loan from Standard Chartered and Scotiabank, backed by a government guarantee.
Prime Minister Davis described the acquisition as a major step toward reducing the burden of high electricity costs on residents and businesses.
He announced that GBPC customers will now transition to the Bahamas Power and Light tariff structure, which government officials say will result in lower electricity bills for households, churches, schools and businesses.
“Families will pay less for electricity. Small businesses will pay less. Large businesses will pay less,” the prime minister stated.