The Tribune

By FAY SIMMONS

Tribune Business Reporter

jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

A Cabinet minister yesterday said Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) has commissioned a 25 Mega Watt (MW) battery storage system at Clifton Pier that will save the utility $3m a month.

Alfred Sears KC, minister of works and utilities, during his 2023/2024 Budget contribution said repairs to BPL's current battery unit will be completed this year and that it has plans to "overhaul" its current systems to improve reliability.

He said: “BPL has commissioned a 25 MW battery energy storage system at the Clifton Pier station. This storage system provides additional capacity to handle demand fluctuations without operating a secondary engine to support additional system load. Inevitably, the storage system replicates an engine’s output and, as a result of this storage system, BPL is able to save $3m every month.

“We also have BPL to boost its reliability. It has overhauled its generation assets on a cyclical basis to optimise performance. It also has anticipated the return to service of its 25 MW unit, which is known as GT seven, which was out of service since September of last year. And repairs are expected to be completed by the end of this month.”

Mr Sears said BPL has expanded its substations to provide electricity to the new Nassau Cruise Port and the US embassy, and entered an agreement with Sun Oil to provide an additional 25 MW of power. He added that the utility will be instrumental to the Gladstone Road project and is currently organising the removal of electrical poles in that area.

The minister added that BPL will introduce smart meters, and is set to launch the initiative with a pilot group of 100 individuals that receive public assistance for electricity. He said smart metering will allow consumers to pre-pay their electricity and enable BPL to better manage account that have fell into arrears.

"You can give the consumer the opportunity to do pre-paid and they can better control their consumption and give the Corporation the opportunity to better collect arrears which may be outstanding," Mr Sears said. “There is a new initiative which will be in partnership between BPL and the private company and the Government to introduce smart metering.

"The focus is to start a pilot programme with 100 customers. The Government will fund the programme, that is pay meter and installation costs, and BPL will provide the customers based on their credit history. And here, the intention is to select persons who are challenged and depend on government support, and to use that demographic as the pilot for this smart metering with Walkers Industries.”