The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

Bahamas Power & Light’s (BPL) chairman says that the utility is eyeing more “comprehensive” initiatives than reconnection deals to help customers keep their lights on.

Dr Donovan Moxey, pictured, told Tribune Business that BPL was not disclosing any details “at this time on its Christmas reconnection offer. This allowed customers whose electricity supply had been disconnected to have their power restored on in time for the holidays if they paid 25 percent of their past due balance. Customers with more than 60 days in arrears were also given the opportunity to pay 25 percent of past due balances prior to December 21 to avoid disconnection before Christmas.

Dr Moxey, speaking after a Friday presentation to the Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA), said: “We looked at that and we made a decision not to release any information on that at this time.

“There are some other customer service initiatives that we are planning. We are looking at doing a much more comprehensive customer initiative push in terms of keeping people on and making it easier to pay their bills.”

When asked about BPL’s rate reduction bond (RRB), viewed as critical to raising the nine-figure sum required to restructure the state-owned utility’s legacy debt, Dr Moxey added: “That’s very much in progress.

“Obviously, BPL is a part of it and so is the rate reduction bond company (special purpose vehicle). When you look at the establishment of that company, the establishment of the board of directors, as well as the quantifying of BPLs aims and requirements around that bond structure, we are working on all those actively.”

Dr Moxey said the agreement with Shell for the new, multi-fuel power plant at Clifton Pier was “actively being negotiated” but declined to comment further. “There’s nothing public to announce specific to that that this time, but that is being negotiated actively,” he added.

Referring to the fires at BPL’s Clifton power station last September, which caused significant damage to the utility’s two most efficient generation engines, Dr Moxey said: “We’re still working through that process with the insurance agents and adjusters. All of that is still being worked through.”