The Tribune

By KEILE CAMPBELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

SOLAR power from a new $90m hybrid energy plant in Abaco is expected to begin flowing to Bahamas Power and Light’s grid in November, although the facility’s LNG generation and battery components are now scheduled for completion in May 2027.

Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis and Energy, Utilities and Aviation Minister JoBeth Coleby-Davis toured the 60-acre EA Energy development, which officials said will eventually combine 30 megawatts of LNG-fuelled generation, 15 megawatts of solar power and 20 megawatt-hours of battery storage. 

The timetable differs from what was announced when construction began in August last year, when EA Energy said its Abaco and Eleuthera plants were targeted for completion in the fourth quarter of 2026, with operations beginning shortly afterwards.

The company also said at the time that it intended to end load shedding caused by generation losses on the two islands by the end of 2026.

Under the latest schedule, Abaco’s solar facility is expected to connect to BPL’s grid in November, while its engines and battery system are due to be completed in May 2027.

EA Energy chief executive officer Erold Farquharson said installation of the solar panels was complete and construction of the powerhouse building was about 25 per cent finished.

Mr Farquharson said batteries were expected to arrive in October, followed by the gas engines in November.

Mr Davis described May 2027 as a firm deadline and acknowledged that Abaco residents may be sceptical after previous promises of improved electricity service.

“I know that our people have been promised things before,” Mr Davis said. “I understand entirely why some of them will wait to see the lights come on before they believe it.”

“The answer to that is not more speeches,” he said. “The answer is panels in the grounds, engines on site, and power that stays on when the wind blows.”

Mr Davis said the development would be the first hybrid solar and LNG power plant in The Bahamas and would have the capacity to supply the entire Abaco mainland.

EA Energy is a joint venture between Bahamian company Verdant Limited and Türkiye-based Consus Energy. It is also developing a hybrid power facility in Eleuthera.

The Abaco plant will use multiple natural gas engine generator sets fuelled by LNG delivered in ISO containers. Its battery system is expected to support grid stability, provide backup power and assist during periods of peak electricity demand.

Mrs Coleby-Davis said the development was intended to improve the affordability, reliability and resilience of electricity supply while adding capacity to support Abaco’s continued development.

She also said the project should help lower electricity bills.

However, Mrs Coleby-Davis said the hybrid plant would not eliminate the fuel surcharge because fuel would remain part of the electricity system.

“It’s a hybrid model,” she said.

Mrs Coleby-Davis said solar generation would reduce fuel consumption, but LNG generation would still be needed at night and when cloud cover restricted solar production.

Promotional material displayed during the tour said the Abaco and Eleuthera facilities would improve reliability, reduce fuel consumption and cut greenhouse gas emissions.

The material also said the projects would reduce air and noise pollution, promote energy efficiency and reduce dependence on imported fuel.

Questions were raised during the visit about whether the Abaco development would have sufficient capacity to meet the island’s future electricity needs.

Asked whether the 30MW gas component would be enough to meet present and future demand, Mrs Coleby-Davis stressed that BPL’s existing generating plant would continue operating.

“Let’s remember this partner is our independent power producer,” she said. “They are providing us support, but BPL still exists, and we still have a plant that is run and managed by BPL, and they will be giving us that extra support.”

Mrs Coleby-Davis also said the new facility had been designed to withstand major hurricane-force winds following Abaco’s experience with Hurricane Dorian.

Mr Davis said the plant would ultimately become the property of BPL and the Bahamian people after 25 years.

“After 25 years from this date,” he said, “what you see there comes home.”

“It’s gonna belong to BPL, the Bahamian people,” Mr Davis said.