Public Consultation On Electricity Policy

The Ministry of Home Affairs has today launched a public consultation on the proposed National Electricity Sector Policy [NESP 2026], the first update to Bermuda’s electricity policy since 2015.

A Government spokesperson said, “Residents, businesses, and stakeholders are invited to review the draft and submit feedback at www.forum.gov.bm before the consultation closes on Monday, 4 May 2026.

“The current National Electricity Sector Policy was issued in 2015. In the 11 years since, the global energy landscape has shifted dramatically: the cost of solar and battery storage has globally fallen, distributed generation has moved from a niche to a mainstream consideration, and the regulatory expectations placed on small island grids have grown more complex. At the same time, several of the more progressive targets set in 2015,  including the pace of utility-scale renewable build-out and the projected emissions trajectory, have not been fully actualised.

“The NESP 2026 represents the commitment this Government has made to take stock of where Bermuda is and ensure a cleaner energy future is safeguarded.

“The NESP 2026 marks a deliberate shift in posture. Rather than seeking to integrate every progressive technology seen on the world stage, the policy is rooted in right-sizing the energy transition for Bermuda reframing the policy angle to selecting the technologies and pathways that best fit a 64,000-person island with no interconnection to neighbouring grids and finite land.

“In practice, this means evaluating each investment, technology, and procurement decision against three non-negotiable tests: Will it keep electricity affordable for Bermudian households and businesses? Will it preserve the reliability of an isolated grid that cannot import power when something fails? And will it broaden, not narrow, access to the benefits of a cleaner energy system?

“Bermuda’s electricity sector sits at the heart of economic activity, social wellbeing, and national resilience. As an isolated grid with no neighbouring interconnection, the island carries unique structural costs including high fuel imports, full exposure to global price volatility, and limited room for over-build. Those realities, combined with sustained pressure on the cost of living, have made it clear that the next phase of reform must be measured against what works for Bermudians, not what looks ambitious on paper.

“The NESP 2026 steps back from one-size-fits-all targets. Decisions on generation mix, distributed energy, storage, and tariff design will be evaluated by their ability to stabilise electricity rates, strengthen grid resilience, manage the role of the incumbent resources and reduce emissions without compromising reliability.

“The policy is anchored in a just framework, recognising that Bermuda’s energy transformation must be socially inclusive and economically fair. Four pillars guide the framework:

• “Workforce Development and Reskilling - Preparing Bermudians for new opportunities in clean energy, grid operations, and emerging sectors.

• “Social and Economic Inclusion - Ensuring affordability, protecting vulnerable households, and expanding equitable access to renewable energy solutions.

• “Community Empowerment and Participation - Supporting public education, engagement, and community-led energy initiatives.

• “Environmental and Climate Justice - Reducing emissions and pollution while ensuring the benefits of a cleaner environment are shared by all.”

The Minister of Home Affairs Alexa Lightbourne said, “This is the first time Bermuda’s electricity policy has been comprehensively updated in over a decade, and we owe the public a clear-eyed look at what has worked, what has not, and what is realistic from here. NESP 2026 is not about chasing every new technology that appears on the global stage. It is about right-sizing the transition for Bermuda and choosing what fits our grid, our population, and our pocketbooks. Affordability, reliability, and accessibility come first. Lowering emissions and modernising the system follow from getting those fundamentals right. This consultation is an invitation to every Bermudian to help us strike that balance.”

A Government spokesperson added, “The Ministry thanks the Energy Policy Steering Committee for its support in finalizing the document and encourages all members of the public to review the consultation documents and submit feedback at forum.gov.bm. The consultation closes at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, 4 May 2026.

“This initiative reflects the Government’s continued commitment to people-centred, evidence-based policymaking, ensuring that Bermuda’s next chapter of electricity reform is sustainable, fair, and built on what works for the people who will pay for it and rely on it.”

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