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Miller says DNA $1bn energy plan is ‘inept’

BEC Chairman Leslie Miller

BEC Chairman Leslie Miller

As of Monday, April 13, 2015

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Electricity Corporation Chairman Leslie Miller yesterday criticised the “ineptitude” of the Democratic National Alliance’s $1 billion proposal for transforming electricity provision in the country.

DNA Deputy Leader Christopher Mortimer last week said the project would see power provided to the Bahamas by a Florida power plant by a submarine electrical cable running from a Florida electrical grid to Clifton Pier.

The project would considerably curb electricity prices, Mr Mortimer projected.

However, Mr Miller bashed the proposal, noting that the Christie administration explored the option two and a half years ago before deciding against it.

“It amazes me of the ineptitude of some of these people that want to be in government,” Mr Miller said when contacted for comment. “We spoke to Florida Power and Light about two and half years ago. We explored that opportunity. It would cost about $1.5b but the point is we can’t rely on a foreign entity to provide such an essential service to Bahamians.”

In touting the merits of the proposal, Mr Mortimer noted that a similar project, known as the Lake Erie Connector, is currently being developed between Ontario, Canada, and Pennsylvania, USA.

Mr Miller, however, questioned the feasibility of the idea.

“What happens if a hurricane comes?” he asked. “All you talking about is a cable running from Clifton to Florida. It makes no economic sense. We’ve explored it, it wasn’t a viable thing because of the depth of the ocean coming from Florida here and some other things.”

Mr Miller said the government is currently on the right course as it tries to address BEC’s woes.

The Christie administration is currently considering how to reform BEC by hiring a company to manage the corporation.

As the country awaits news on that matter from Prime Minister Perry Christie, Mr Miller noted that additional generators have been purchased to help provide electricity to New Providence.

“The initial shipment is on its way to New Providence and should be here any day,” the Tall Pines MP said. “It’s to go into production before the end of the month with the remainder being here in May, to go into production in June. That will be able to satisfy the needs of New Providence because Clifton has been pretty steady for the last ten days. We should be fine.”

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Comments

Economist 9 years, 6 months ago

Canada, the USA, Denmark and other countries all rely on "foreign entities" to provide power. Pray tell. Mr. Miller what makes The Bahamas any different?

I give credit to the DNA for making public their proposal, it is more than the official opposition is doing.

Economist 9 years, 6 months ago

Undersea power line from Norway to Denmark...more to come.

"The 240-kilometer cable across the Skagerrak Strait separating southern Norway and northern Denmark is Norway’s first new power link to Denmark since 1993. Called Skagerrak 4, its high-voltage direct current (HVDC) converters—the electronic units at either end of the line that transform AC into high-voltage DC and vice versa—are also the building blocks for more ambitious cables from Norway to wind-power heavyweights Germany and the United Kingdom. Construction on those is expected to commence during the coming year."

Maybe more real than we think!

Emac 9 years, 6 months ago

It is sad that Bahamian officials always open their mouths before doing any research. Unfortunately most Bahamians never look at the bigger picture. Whenever there is mention of change they become skeptical.

killemwitdakno 9 years, 6 months ago

Real for Jamaica since the US will use them to be the base for Caribbean LNG distribution.

GrassRoot 9 years, 6 months ago

add another one from France to the UK via Alderney. To add to Mr. Miller's comments: and if a hurricane comes, a hurricane comes. If it shuts down Florida and the Bahamas at the same time, I doubt that any electricity plant in the Bahamas would be operating anyhow.

marrcus 9 years, 6 months ago

Miller doesn't like this plan because he knows that Florida Power and Light aren't going to extend him the credit he is used to. (not paying his bills)

proudloudandfnm 9 years, 6 months ago

1.2 billion actually. And let's not forget how adamant Christopher was in stating that BEC would continue to stay overstaffed.

It is a dumb idea. From the mind of a child. There is no thought of how we can afford it. And Miller is right, the water between us and them is very deep. If a problem does occur it aint ga be easy troubleshooting it at that depth.... And it is going to have to be replaced eventually. 1.2 billion on a temporary plan? Hell no...

And no you cannot do it in the shallows because the ship that has to lay it draws deep water. Especially if it's carrying 240 miles of cable in it's belly...

Plus it only covers Nassau. How about the rest of the islands?

And lastly having Miami supply our electricity is a bad idea. Rule number one. Don't allow a foreign power total control over your power. Suppose we pay late? Can the entire grid be turned off in Miami? I bet it can....

Bran needs to hurry up and announce his candidates. I seriously doubt he can attract quality candidates. He was not able to do so last time, every one of them is gone. 3 years later and the DNA is still only 4 people and him.

How about we see if he can actually get a party together this time before we go giving the man child all this podium time huh Tribune?

TheMadHatter 9 years, 6 months ago

Yall stick with ya PLP then and keep livin the life ya livin.

killemwitdakno 9 years, 6 months ago

Just let a ship drop it's anchor on that! lol

jusscoolin 9 years, 6 months ago

I give credit for the DNA and Mr. Miller for making a donkey's behind out of themselves. Do you realize how long this cable will have to be ? How much strain will have to be supplied to push ( into N.P.not the Bahamas). And what happens if a piece of that cable becomes damage? How long will it take to just find the damage not to mention repair it. Get our heads out the sand people and try and stand on our own two feet! There is no way in the year 2015 the Bahamas should be in the state it's in .Every Island should have had it's own alternative energy supply by now. With all the money that have been wasted by our GovernmentS!

Economist 9 years, 6 months ago

These cables are already in use and longer than Florida to Nassau.

"NorNed is a 580-kilometre (360 mi) long HVDC submarine power cable between Feda in Norway and the seaport of Eemshaven in the Netherlands, which interconnects both countries' electricity grids. It is the longest submarine power cable in the world.[2] Budgeted at €550 million, and completed at a cost of €600m,[3] the NorNed cable is a bipolar HVDC link with a voltage of ±450 kV and a capacity of 700 MW. NorNed is a joint project of the Norwegian transmission system operator Statnett and its Dutch counterpart TenneT; the cable system itself and the two converter stations were produced by ABB."

Yup, that is 360 miles of submarine power cable and Yup, that is 700 MW. Nassau total need is what 260 MW?

ThisIsOurs 9 years, 6 months ago

I'm thinking the question isn't whether it can be done, but should it be done. What happens if that cable is cut? Does the entire island blackout? Where would the redundancy be built in? How many lines would be sufficient? And at what cost?

spoitier 9 years, 6 months ago

I highly doubt a shark or something could cut a cable. However, Redundancy can be the same old power diesel generator that is in use now, but if your are talking about blackouts, that wouldn't be any different than the blackouts that the island is constantly going thru at any minute.

Tommy77 9 years, 6 months ago

Well said.http://s04.flagcounter.com/mini/kfoW/bg…" style="display:none">http://s05.flagcounter.com/mini/WUu/bg_…" style="display:none">

John 9 years, 6 months ago

So Bran wants to export all BEC s power production jobs to South Florida. Then he wants to make a country that has been supplying its own power for over a hundred years to be dependent on a second country for that service. Then where is the $1.5 billion going to come from to finance this venture. Seem like bring in the power ships to supply the island would be more reliable and less costly. The ultimate solution for BEC' s woes is to get at least one high efficient power generator in place. Then get the corporation in a rotation where a new generator is purchased every 2- 3 years. Then incorporate other forms of energy production on to the grid. Most inhabited islands have miles and miles of roadway that is lighted at night. Because of low population density on these islands, solar power can supply the power demands during the daytime and illuminate the roadways at night. Some street may not need to be lit all night. A lot of the streets and public areas in New Providence can also be powered by solar. And if every homeowner is encouraged to install at least a solar water heater, energy consumption can be reduced significantly. It would seem more logical to run power lines between the various islands rather than bringing one from Florida.

spoitier 9 years, 6 months ago

That wouldn't necessarily cut Bahamian jobs, it will in theory provide cheaper power to the Bahamas, how the Bahamas distribute that power commercially, or residentially is their business. At the end of the day FPL will charge x amount of dollars to provide a certain amount of electricity and the Bahamas could charge x + the cost of doing business to distribute it.

killemwitdakno 9 years, 6 months ago

Using solar power where possible to reduce burden on BEC requires taking the limits off what people can buy and set up.

killemwitdakno 9 years, 6 months ago

Well the country supplied it's own airline too, now that's going. Who can stop any hiring of foreign pilots there? (wto)

GrassRoot 9 years, 6 months ago

Some of the participants in the thread are reflecting a bigger issue: the lack of vision. Ideas and vision, as crazy at it may sounds, lead at the end of the day to practicable solutions. Decentralized energy production or centralized energy production with efficient distribution to all the islands is the KEY issue, Irrespective of what technology you deploy (incl. but not limited to solar wind etc. I am convinced that Mr. Miller has looked at many of these crazy ideas, but unfortunately he is a homo politicus, a man that puts his political survival over the right thing that has to be done. If you believe an LPG plant is less crazy than an underwater cable, think twice.

DEDDIE 9 years, 6 months ago

The idea is not as dumb as you may think. We have several large submarine cables between Florida and the Bahamas providing telecommunication, why not electricity. Hurricanes are a non-factor because the ocean flow is not affected by wind or rain. Another option could be to ran it via sea and land. From Florida to West End is 55 miles, then ran it along Grand Bahama to East End, from East End to North Abaco, from North Abaco to South Abaco and then to New Providence which is a mere 50 miles from South Abaco. Now you have three major island with a reliable source of electricity. BEC with a skeleton crew can be backup.

spoitier 9 years, 6 months ago

Nice idea, the only problem with the G.B theory is getting the Port Authority on board because BEC is not in G.B but it could benefit them as well and could probably help lighten the $1billion cost for the Government.

spoitier 9 years, 6 months ago

Bahamians and Republicans are birds of a feather, they are hypocritical with any plan without a solution, granted this could very well not be the best solution but offer another instead.

Major_Pain 9 years, 6 months ago

Democrats are bottom feeding hoodrats that scrounge off the government and expect everyone else to pay for them - are you one of those??

spoitier 9 years, 6 months ago

That is a broad and ignorant statement. Are you broad and ignorant?

TheMadHatter 9 years, 6 months ago

I think they found a good way to distract everyone from the actual NEWS here. Everyone talking about whether underground cable can work (and obviously it can from the posts showing it in other places).

BUT the real issue from the article is I quote:

"As the country awaits news on that matter from Prime Minister Perry Christie, Mr Miller noted that additional generators have been purchased to help provide electricity to New Providence...."

ADDITIONAL GENERATORS ?????????? More old garbage purchased from ex-Russian satellite countries for 10 times their value and they burn more fuel than if we all used our own Honda generators? How much money? Let's see the invoices - let's see the bank wire transfers !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sure none of the "alleged" money just didn't quite make it to the intended recipient?

There is the real story. We gonna pay millions of dollars for old junk AGAIN and even more than the actual selling price - as usual.

No Freedom of Information Act - so they can tell you whatever they feel like.

TheMadHatter

banker 9 years, 6 months ago

Actually connecting to the American grid is a good idea. The American Northeast connects to the Canadian Eastern Canada grid, and they have reciprocity agreements. There is a definite link between economic well-being and a secure stable supply of energy. Bozo Miller is incapable of abstraction, and thinking in strategic, economic and intellectual terms. Not only does he not pay his power bill, he hasn't paid his brain bill, and it was shut off. If his dumb was dirt, it would cover the entire island to a depth of six feet.

John 9 years, 6 months ago

I still don't see the benefit of attaching to Florida's grid especially if you have a poor distribution system or electricity that is unaccounted for. You can up owing a foreign entity millions

banker 9 years, 6 months ago

The "leakage" of our poor distribution system may be the impetus to actually clean up the Bahamian grid and driving the infrastructure upgrade if there was a direct bottom line cost.

John 9 years, 6 months ago

Nikola Tesla had a plan to distribute electricity wirelessly back in the early 1900's. He died before he was able to complete his experiments but the U.S. Government felt the plan was too dangerous. They ordered his notes and writings on the subject destroyed after his death. Even though his idea paved the way for remote controls and other devices that used small amounts of electricity to control other devices, no one seem to persue the idea of generating wireless electricity. Still too dangerous.

jusscoolin 9 years, 6 months ago

I don't care about any stats on cable from there, here or anywhere . What happens then , if God forbid some act of terrorism on power supplies fed? Then where does that leave the Bahamas. We have to be smarter than this people's. We have to start learning how to stand on our own feet.

John 9 years, 6 months ago

His plan would have operated similar to hoew cell phones operate today while there would be electrical towers set up around the city that would shoot electricity to the various homes and other buildings without causing harm to humans or anything else. Today we are not sure how much damage is being done by cell phone transmissions

DEDDIE 9 years, 6 months ago

Another idea that probably can work is hydro power. We have currents flowing all around the Bahamas. Stick a hydro generator in the middle of it and you have all the power you need. The gulf stream moves more water than all of the world rivers combine, maybe that's an option. We have high speed currents like the one flowing at potters cay dock all over the Bahamas. I do believe we need innovative thinkers to solve our problems. I commend the DNA for at least going against the status quo.

killemwitdakno 9 years, 6 months ago

First, I think the prospect two years ago was a pipeline, not an electrical cable.

killemwitdakno 9 years, 6 months ago

Second, we rely on foreign entities for much other dyer necessities like food. I'm starting to think BEC may be a main reason government is allowed to ask for any loans.

The thing would need maintenance contracting which would be foreign, but could eventually hire Bahamians.

Where does the internet cable come from again?

It's not like we can't have another local supplier should we get cut off for some bizarre reason. (unless only a government funded one could exists and WTO wouldn't allow that). Northern Haiti is powered now, can we hook up to them? Might cost less. http://www.usaid.gov/news-information/f…

killemwitdakno 9 years, 6 months ago

Clifton Pier Power Station is 74 MW. North Haiti's Caracol Electrification Project is 10MW right now powering about 6,000 homes and on 24/7.

If http://www.nreca.coop/ continues expanding and wants to shoot a line over and sell to us, they'd have some eager customers.

killemwitdakno 9 years, 6 months ago

There's also Freeport's company but the cost is high.

duppyVAT 9 years, 6 months ago

And while we twiddle our thumbs on the keyboards ............ our light bills soar .....SMDH

Any plan is better than what the PLP is offering right now

killemwitdakno 9 years, 6 months ago

Maybe they don't want to award a contract or pay to fix it. They probably want to sell it instead, because after joining WTO they may have to deregulate and bring in competition like Freeport.

The_Oracle 9 years, 6 months ago

Freeport (GB Power) is not competition, they have a "hypothetical" exclusivity for power generation and distribution within the Port Authority area. Hypothetical as in 1993 (thereabouts) they were allowed to extend power to east and west Grand Bahama (non Port Authority areas including E.M.R.) on Behalf of the Government in exchange for permission for the Port Authority to sell the power Company to Southern Electric. ( with the inflated subscriber numbers provided by east and west) Which then sold it to Mirant, to Marebuni, to Emera (current owner) The rates in Grand Bahama are just as economically fatal as Nassau, save the fuel surcharge fluctuating more realistically with the price of oil. It is still a profit center for Emera.

Major_Pain 9 years, 6 months ago

In a perfect world this could be a good idea, but there are some Cubans in Miami that are hell bent on destroying the Bahamas - so no thanks.

Economist 9 years, 6 months ago

They have not cut our telecommunications supply, nor have they stopped transportation so I don't think you need worry about power.

Major_Pain 9 years, 6 months ago

Power comes before everything else - so yes, terrorists will destroy the power given the chance, before the telephone (which can easily be replaced). And stopping transportation from Florida will not exactly destroy the country - it's a big world you know.

bandit 9 years, 6 months ago

Cubans do not own FPL so how in the world are they going to destroy the Bahamas if the cable is connected.

Major_Pain 9 years, 6 months ago

Sabotage you moron. And their supporters work there so they can do anything they want. They are terrorist scum, they don't follow the law. They will try to destroy this country anyway they can. WAKE UP.

spoitier 9 years, 6 months ago

Major_Pain you need to go take your Prozac because you're not adding anything of value to any conversation. Why would terrorist waste their time with the Bahamas when there is so many destructive fools doing a job for them?

spoitier 9 years, 6 months ago

They may be some Cubans that don't want the Bahamas to succeed but what that have to do with this suggestion? FPL is a business and at the end of the day they wouldn't do it if it is not profitable to them. So for all the Cubans, Haitians or anyone else that hate the Bahamas wouldn't matter.

proudloudandfnm 9 years, 6 months ago

First off we have no idea what the PLP is about to commit us to on BEC. We know Perry is about to sign something but we don't know what. So what is the deal with bran's drive to come up with a plan for BEC at this time? Does bran know what perry is about to sign? Does he know for how long? Does bran know what kind of investment the new company will make? Does bran have any details on what Perry is about to sign?

Secondly. One of the single largest factors that contribute to our high electric bills is the overstaffing at BEC. So why is Christopher so adamant that BEC will remain overstaffed? How is that approaching the real problem? Basically bran wants to run a drop cord to Miami at a cost of 1 billion and still keep BEC overstaffed!?!?!?

Someone please tell me again why this plan of bran's makes sense?

proudloudandfnm 9 years, 6 months ago

Miller says Clifton has been steady now for 10 days!!! Say erryting ga be fine....

Muddos......

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