The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK 

and LYNAIRE MUNNINGS

Tribune Staff Reporters

A MAJOR fast-food restaurant in downtown Freeport was forced to close its doors and turn away customers on Sunday afternoon due to a power outage, highlighting the impact of ongoing electricity disruptions in Grand Bahama.

The closure came as East Grand Bahama MP Kwasi Thompson sent a letter to the Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC), demanding action after weeks of significant service interruptions.

“Over the past months, we have encountered several issues that have not only been inconvenient but have also raised serious concerns about the dependability of your service,” he wrote in the letter dated September 8, 2024.

Mr Thompson detailed frequent outages, some lasting several hours without prior notice, which have caused daily disruptions and financial losses. His letter followed mounting frustration from residents over a proposed 6.3 percent rate increase. Locals cited the frequent outages, which have damaged appliances and led to food spoilage, as one reason the hike is unreasonable. Some residents have even resorted to sleeping in cars or on patios to escape the heat during the outages.

“In light of the service challenges we face, a 6.3 percent base rate hike is unthinkable,” Mr Thompson said.

The GBPC applied for the rate increase on August 1 with the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA), which claims regulatory authority over the Port Area. However, the GBPA is currently in a dispute with the Davis administration and the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) over who regulates utilities in Freeport.

The GBPC has defended its request, saying the rate hike is necessary to sustain operations and support future investments. The company also said the proposed increase is below the recent inflation rate of 7.3 percent and supports the government’s goal of achieving 30 percent renewable energy by 2030.

However, Mr Thompson called for immediate action to address the power issues and demanded a clear plan to prevent future outages.

“We call upon you to provide a clear plan to prevent future occurrences,” he said. “As I write on behalf of my constituents who are all paying customers, I trust that you will treat this matter with the urgency it deserves.”

Many businesses and residents have expressed frustration over the ongoing outages.

Charles Clarke, a resident of Eight Mile Rock, voiced concern over rising electricity costs alongside the frequent power cuts. “Every time they cut the power off, and then when you look, your bill is high, and they’re talking about increasing the percentage. It is hard,” he said.

Carla Wildgoose shared her dissatisfaction, noting how disruptive the outages have been for customers. “We’ve been having outages quite often, and it is sad that every time Grand Bahama Power has an issue with purchasing a big item, the customers have to pay for that. I think it’s poor,” she said.

Despite high system loads caused by excessive heat and increased AC usage, Mr Wildgoose believes this is no excuse for the outages.

Rupert Moss added that the disruptions are damaging appliances, calling the situation “very disturbing.”

“The outages are annoying, and they mess up people’s appliances, and nobody is compensating us,” he added.