#Energy Efficiency #Bahamas #Nassau #network upgrade #Bahamas Grid

Bahamas Grid Company: Progress on Network Upgrade Project

The Bahamas Grid Company (BGC) recently announced substantial progress on its foundational grid upgrade project six months after its launch. This initiative, which began a year following extensive restoration and maintenance efforts, aims to enhance the electricity distribution reliability across New Providence. The company's comprehensive progress report highlights critical upgrades in transmission and distribution systems, setting the stage for improved energy reliability, resilience, and quality.

Key Achievements

Early Results Show Transformation

According to the initial metrics, the ongoing network upgrade has already transformed the electricity delivery landscape. Reports indicate a significant drop in power interruptions, with numerous customers experiencing an enhanced service quality. The project is ahead of schedule, progressing at 28% faster than planned. Key infrastructure enhancements include:

• - 144 New Steel Poles: Replacing aging wooden structures, these new poles are designed to withstand category 5 hurricanes.
• - 153,120 Feet of Transmission Cable: Upgraded to accommodate future load growth and new generation sources.
• - 42,240 Feet of Distribution Cable: Reconfigured to address system vulnerabilities while supporting increasing demand.
• - Three New Substations: Under construction to improve system protection and enable energy diversion, preventing large-scale outages.

Smart Technologies Implementation

The project also embraces advanced network technologies to reduce outages further and enhance operational efficiency. Notable advancements include:

• - 47 IntelliRupters: Installed on high-risk feeders to minimize both the frequency of interruptions and the number of affected customers.
• - 137,280 Feet of Fiber OPGW Cable: Replaced to facilitate remote operations, protective devices, and the integration of smart technologies throughout the grid.
• - Integrated Work Management System: A first for the Bahamas, this system enables real-time tracking of updates and customer connections, enhancing outage response effectiveness.

Tangible Benefits for Residents

These upgrades have led to observable benefits for households and businesses in New Providence. Highlights include:

• - Fewer Interruptions: Approximately 49,000 households in historically interruption-prone areas are now experiencing significantly fewer power interruptions.
• - Improved Energy Quality: Around 16,000 homes have benefited from load-balancing efforts, which not only enhance energy quality but also extend appliance lifespan.
• - Proactive Maintenance: Routine patrols over 70 miles of high-risk circuits are minimizing potential storm damage before it occurs.
• - 86% Reduction in Post-Interruption Events: Thanks to IntelliRupters, customers report a drastic reduction in interruptions.

Six months post-implementation, the foundational grid upgrade project already provides measurable reliability improvements, laying the groundwork for a safer and more sustainable energy system for New Providence. This ambitious $130 million project reflects BGC's commitment to not only modernizing the energy infrastructure but also ensuring a more stable and resilient power supply for its customers.

About Bahamas Grid Company

Established as a public-private partnership, the Bahamas Grid Company operates and manages the transmission and distribution systems that span across New Providence, comprising poles, cables, and substations essential for power distribution. With an ongoing focus on enhancing service quality and sustainability, BGC aims to create a robust energy future for the Bahamas.