By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

A Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) director yesterday said addressing Harbour Island’s power woes was a “top priority”, amid private sector concerns over “brand damage”.

Thomas Sands, the Eleuthera Chamber of Commerce’s president, told Tribune Business that given the tremendous growth Harbour Island has seen in its tourism industry, it was vital that its image as an island ‘boutique’ destination is preserved.

“I think that the power issues have been more dramatic for Harbour Island given the growth that it has seen,” he said. “I think it is critical that this issue be addressed because it is a gem of the Family Island.

“Over the last few years people have chosen Harbour Island over the other islands. It is a representation of the county as a whole, and its potential. We need to protect this brand and the spirit of what is an island boutique destination.”

Addressing the Eleuthera Business Outlook conference at Valentine’s Resort and Marina, Andrew Rodgers, a BPL director, said addressing the island’s power supply was a top concern for BEC’s subsidiary.

“Harbour Island has always suffered electricity generation problems,” he acknowledged. “This has been going on for years. There are solutions coming.

“There are temporary solutions and permanent solutions. We should be finalising the way forward within the next week to 10 days on the temporary solution. We are well aware of how serious it is with the electricity generation.

“We signed a management services agreement with PowerSecure on February 8. The Board’s priority has been Harbour Island. We haven’t rushed into this because there are temporary solutions, but the problem is we want you to be sustainable even with your temporary supply.”

Mr Rogers added: “Presently, the generation is served out of Hatchet Bay. There has been an improvement on Harbour Island. I know it’s not where we would like it. There has been no new generation equipment.

“The staff at BPL has been working tirelessly to keep the power on. We need six Mega Watts (MW) to sustain Harbour Island. We have the proposals, we will finalise it. It will be installed quickly.

“We’re trying to get whatever temporary facility in before July, when there is peak demand. We want to do it right. It’s been half-way done for so many years and that’s the problem,” he conceded.

“We have already ordered the capacitors and voltage regulators, which is going to help with the efficiency in the line. This is a very serious problem here. The capacitors and voltage regulators will be installed on present lines above ground. It’s not what we would like as the main permanent fix, but this will be installed in the next six to seven months.”

The island’s power supply woes were highlighted last year following a series of electricity plant fires in April, and another in June, during the key holiday weekends such as US Memorial Day.

The issue prompted a group of Harbour Island businesses to send a letter to the Ministry of Tourism highlighting their concerns.