BELCO On Electricity Amendment Act 2026
“The surest path to lower bills is a complete, evidence-based plan, not one cut short before the analysis is done” and “for that reason, BELCO does not agree with the changes introduced by the Electricity Amendment Act,” BELCO President Wayne Caines said.
A spokesperson said, “Bermuda Electric Light Company Limited [BELCO] today responded to the Electricity Amendment Act 2026, which was passed in the House of Assembly on Friday, June 12.”
BELCO President Wayne Caines said, “For almost 120 years, BELCO has been committed to serving our customers, the 36,000 homes and businesses that rely on the electricity we generate and distribute across our grid. A utility exists to serve those customers, and our mandate is to deliver power that is reliable and affordable. Serving Bermuda has never been separate from running a sound business. It is our business, and that means the best interests of the island and its people are front of mind in everything we do.
“The decisions that will shape Bermuda’s energy future belong in the Integrated Resource Plan [IRP], an independent, evidence-based process that draws on comprehensive data, public opinion and the oversight of the Regulatory Authority [RA]. The RA is an independent body whose purpose is to represent the people of Bermuda. Governments and their priorities change over time. The RA does not, and that consistency is part of what protects customers.
“As part of our transmission, distribution, and retail licence, BELCO is tasked with planning, constructing, operating, and maintaining Bermuda’s electricity system. Every day, work is carried out by BELCO’s highly trained engineers and technically skilled energy professionals who do it for a living. This is exactly the expertise the IRP is designed to draw on to reach the best outcome for Bermuda. Changing that process is not in the best interest of Bermuda.
“Interrupting the very process designed to protect customers puts the affordability and reliability that Bermuda requires at risk. The surest path to lower bills is a complete, evidence-based plan, not one cut short before the analysis is done. For that reason, BELCO does not agree with the changes introduced by the Electricity Amendment Act.
“The suggested changes are not necessary, and they introduce the potential for ministerial interference into a process that is meant to stay independent. Within the IRP there is already a clearly defined process, and giving a minister the power to direct the IRP removes the independence of the Regulatory Authority that protects customers.
“BELCO shares the Government’s goals of affordability, reliability and sustainability. These are the very principles BELCO already plans around. Regulatory certainty is what keeps Bermuda an attractive place to invest in the infrastructure our customers depend on. BELCO remains committed to participating fully and transparently in the IRP planning process, and we will remain steadfast in our advocacy for the valued customers who rely on our service.”
“The surest path to lower bills is a complete, evidence-based plan, not one cut short before the analysis is done”
The surest path to the truth in any endeavour is “a complete, evidence-based plan, not one cut short before the analysis is done”. But you have been part of the PLP Government for decades. You were Chief of Staff to Premier Ewart Brown 20 years ago. You know that the truth and PLP politics are incompatible.
Smackdown! We have a winner!