The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Power and Light (BPL) is trying to complete the framework for its utility-scale renewable energy generation, its top executive, noting there is significant interest in the sector.

Whitney Heastie, BPL's chief executive, said the utility was is looking at renewables, particularly in the Family Islands, given that utility-scale solar on New Providence is challenging due to the lack of available land.

BPL's former manager, Power Secure, had ruled out a $140m solar farm investment in its business plan, finding that the 40 megawatt (MW) facility was not an "economically viable" investment in the near term.

"There are two aspects of renewables. There is firstly the small-scale renewable generation, which has been in place since about March of last year. A lot of people are taking advantage of that," said Mr Heastie. BPL announced the start of its renewable energy grid tie-ins for residential customers last April.

"The other aspect is the large scale. We are trying to get the framework completed on that because there is a lot of interest in the market place for the megawatt size generation tied to the grid. We are looking obviously at more renewables where we can. Certainly in Nassau we are challenged with putting renewables on the ground, but in the islands we will look at renewables," added Mr Heastie.