Minister of Energy, Utilities and Aviation, the Hon. Jobeth Coleby-Davis announced the lowering of energy bills for consumers on the island of Grand Bahama while making her contribution to the 2026/2027 budget debate in the House of Assembly on Wednesday.

Coleby-Davis told Parliamentarians approximately 17,000 households and 1,500 businesses should see their electricity bills significantly decrease as soon as this week. This is due to the elimination of the base rate for customers using less than 200 kilowatt hours of electricity, fuel charge tiers being aligned with consumption levels and storm recovery charges being eliminated.

She said, “I wish to point out that a residential consumer on Grand Bahama will move from paying 0.22 cents for 351-800 kilowatt hours to 0.11 cents. A commercial consumer will move from paying 0.18 cents for 20,000-100,000 kilowatt hours to 0.14 cents.”

The minister also assured that generation capacity is being increased to meet demand during the summer months in addition to the advancement of several renewable energy projects. She said, “in Grand Bahama partnership with Bahamas Sol and Renewables is progressing well. The project will provide 9 megawatts to Freeport’s grid with an additional five megawatts of solar energy coming online in the fall.”

During the presentation updates were provided on the aviation sector including work on the Grand Bahama International Airport. The minister confirmed the project is moving forward in partnership with Manchester Airport Group.

Coleby-Davis also spoke to efforts to provide sufficient power in the family islands. She said, “Abaco and Eleuthera, especially Eleuthera, you have trailers on the ground all packed with solar panels and EA Energy will begin installation of the units along with battery energy storage. And they will be your gift, Christmas 2026.”

The budget debate continues in the House Of Assembly on Thursday, June 11th.