Former Prime Minister Perry Christie with then Deputy Prime Minister Philip 'Brave' Davis – now the current leader of the Opposition.
THE government has decided to defer the announcement of the strategic partner for the Bahamas Electricity Corporation until after interventions and discussions coming out of an energy security summit in Washington, DC, according to Deputy Prime Minister Philip Davis.
Prime Minister Perry Christie and a delegation left the country yesterday to attend the Caribbean Energy Security Summit in Washington.
Mr Christie is set to return to the Bahamas on Wednesday night.
“The prime minister has indicated that he’s having a meeting next week with the vice president of the United States of America where energy will be discussed as the topic and he thought before they make the announcement perhaps he should hear what they are saying about this aspect of energy in the whole Caribbean,” Mr Davis told reporters on Friday.
“So we think we are where we want to be and it’s only a question as to those things happening.”
At the summit, US Vice-President Joseph Biden will deliver the policy position of the United States on energy security for the Caribbean region. The prime minister will also have an opportunity to reconcile both policies and to discuss the Bahamas’ energy reform initiatives with Mr Biden, a statement from Bahamas Information Services said.
Mr Christie first announced plans to reform BEC in August 2013. At that time, Mr Christie said two separate companies would take over the management and power generation at BEC. At the time, he said the contracts would be signed at the end of 2013.
However last December, 16 months after Mr Christie’s initial announcement of the plans for BEC, Mr Davis added further confusion and speculation over the matter when he confirmed a Tribune Business report that the government had abandoned its previous plans for a split.
He said the Christie administration was opting to select a single private sector “manager” for all of BEC’s operations. It came amid his repeated promises to reporters that the process surrounding BEC’s reform was drawing to a close.
“First of all, it is a monumental step we are taking and I think we want to ensure that what we are doing is in the best interest of the Bahamian people,” said Mr Davis on Friday about the delays.
He also said that the government consulted extensively, assessed and evaluated inputs and advice from civil society and industry experts before making a final decision.
The current cost of electricity is around forty-four cents per kilowatt hour. The restructuring of BEC is intended to reduce this cost to consumers by 30 per cent to around thirty-one cents based on current fuel and other input costs.
Comments
TheMadHatter 9 years, 11 months ago
So what's the name of the Chinese company?
TheMadHatter
The_Oracle 9 years, 11 months ago
The ineptitude of these clowns is beyond ludicrous, Victims of their own control mentality, their petty short mindedness. Write policy allowing Solar and alternate energy without limits, grid tied and stand alone, and BEC as a festering sore and drain on the people of this country will melt away. Open it up and watch the private sector do that which no government could even dream about, never mind accomplish. The strangulation of the people of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas is by your hands.
jlcandu 9 years, 11 months ago
I guess the Chinese company wasn't playing ball with the government -- and they probably have heard the disaster that BEC is.
I am surprised and perplexed why this PLP government is so concerned about the integrity of this US company. Since when do they give a crap about that!!! This is just another delay tactic. Since this company is publicly traded, how could the President ensure the company's integrity???? This doesn't make any sense and is more BS by the PLP. Hook up the floating power plant and stop making excuses.
asiseeit 9 years, 11 months ago
Seems as if they are still squabbling over who gets what. That is the only reason this process has taken so long. Politicians and their crony's have destroyed this country over the last 40 years and they are not done yet. Why do you think we know NOTHING about the state secret landfill deal, they have their grubby fingers all over it. the same will happen with BEC and The people of The Bahamas (ALL OF THEM) will once again get the shaft. If there is a hell, I honestly believe there must be special section just for Bahamian politicians.
duppyVAT 9 years, 11 months ago
The Chinese are very inefficient in their operations ....... they win by sheer volume. How will they turn around BEC in this small market???????
Running an underwater power line from Florida and hooking our islands into FP&L is a better option. Besides there is no coal in The Bahamas...... SMH
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