#Bahamas #Nassau #Power Grid #Bahamas Grid Company #New Providence

Bahamas Grid Company Reports Major Advancements in Power Grid Upgrade

The Bahamas Grid Company (BGC) is making remarkable strides just three months into its ambitious $130 million power grid modernization program aimed at upgrading New Providence's electrical infrastructure. As residents and businesses witness the initial benefits of enhanced energy reliability, the BGC is committed to developing a more resilient power system that meets the growing demands of the island.

Early Achievements

Since commencing the upgrade, BGC teams have been hard at work, accomplishing a range of critical tasks. They have successfully installed or replaced an impressive 80 overhead distribution poles and upgraded over 56,000 feet of wiring, which are essential for improving the overall stability of the system. Additionally, load balancing has been applied to over 20 circuit miles of the primary voltage system.

To cater to the increasing demand for electricity and enhance the grid's resilience against natural disasters, BGC has also laid 3,800 feet of underground cable and established 18 new service connections. These early upgrades are expected to directly benefit approximately 6,000 customers and are vital in making New Providence's energy network more storm-resistant.

On the transmission side, BGC has installed 105 contemporary steel poles and deployed over 83,000 feet of high-capacity conductors, reinforcing the grid's effectiveness and reliability. The company has also provided more than 1,100 hours of emergency response support to stabilize the grid and address urgent customer needs.

Vision for the Future

BGC emphasizes that every pole set and every line upgraded gets them one step closer to establishing reliable power as a standard rather than an exception. Chairman J. Eric Pike stated, "This is about building a stronger, smarter energy grid for The Bahamas."

Advancements in Smart Grid Technology

Alongside the physical infrastructure improvements, BGC is incorporating advanced smart grid technology to boost automation and responsiveness across the island. To date, the installation of 47 IntelliRupter® PulseCloser Fault Interrupters at strategically significant locations has proven effective in detecting and isolating grid faults in real time, substantially reducing outages' duration and impact on consumers.

Thanks to these smart technologies, BGC has effectively prevented 182 potential outages this year, averting over 170,000 service interruptions for the 48,000 customers within the affected circuits. Thus far, there has been a remarkable 73% decrease in total outages and an 86% reduction in projected power interruptions for customers in 2025.

According to CEO Mei Shibata, "We are implementing more than a standard grid upgrade—it's a long-term investment in our communities. We are proactively building a system that has the ability to self-mitigate issues, ensuring reliable power access for every household and business in New Providence."

A Transformative Investment

The $130 million initiative represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform New Providence's electrical grid into a modern, resilient, and cost-effective energy system. The Bahamas Grid Company is committed to keeping interested stakeholders updated on its progress throughout the duration of the project and encourages public engagement as the initiatives unfold.

In closing, the developments from this modernization program are not just tasks being completed but are foundational steps towards securing a strong, dependable future for electricity in The Bahamas. As the infrastructure improvements continue, the benefits to the local population will undoubtedly be profound and lasting.