OBA’s Dwayne Robinson On IRP Pause & More
“The Government has been unable to provide a concrete direction on energy,” OBA MP Dwayne Robinson said.
Mr Robinson, the Shadow Home Affairs Minister, said, “During the last House of Assembly question and answer period, I asked the Minister of Home Affairs if she was aware that the Integrated Resource Plan 2026 had been approved by the Regulatory Authority and published on their website. She responded that the Ministry was unaware.
“This is a major oversight and potential breach of legality. The Electricity Amendment Act 2026 grants the Minister the authority to pause an Integrated Resource Plan [IRP] when in the planning phase, before it becomes a finalized IRP. How was a pause of the IRP put into motion after it had been finalized since July 3, 2026, and made available to the public?
“The Minister has made it clear that the reason for the pause was to implement their agenda and National Electricity Sector Policy 2026 objectives into the IRP 2026. That appears to be impossible now. The Government has been unable to provide a concrete direction on energy with a change in policy concerning renewable energy targets, an unfinalized National Electricity Sector Policy 2026, and a ministerial directive to the Regulatory Authority for billing transparency from Belco which has led to solar users feeling betrayed based on Government’s previous encouragement of the solar transition.
“Meanwhile throughout all this Bermudians remain unsure about our island’s energy future and their bills continue to increase. The Minister of Home Affairs has made it clear that the reason she paused the IRP was to implement the Government’s affordability agenda and National Electricity Sector Policy 2026 objectives into the IRP 2026.
“That appears to be impossible now until the next IRP planning phase. How long will Bermudians wait for a concrete direction? As Parliament is adjourned until September 4, I call on the Minister to please clarify the legality of the pausing of the IRP she announced on July 17, 2026, via Ministerial Statement.
“If this was an oversight and the pause is unable to take place, what will the Government’s next steps be? Bermudians should not have to wait until September for an explanation on this critical development.”
