By FAY SIMMONS

Tribune Business Reporter

jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) yesterday urged consumers to conserve electricity an an ongoing heat wave drives up demand, while revealing that crews are simultaneously battling cable faults and weather-related damage that have triggered extended outages in parts of New Providence.

Anthony Christie, BPL's chief operating officer, said the utility has been responding to multiple issues since the weekend, with the most significant being a cable fault affecting customers in the south-west region of New Providence. He said the primary cause was a cable fault along the Blue Hill Road and Sir Milo Butler Highway corridor.

"Our teams are presently at the fault location and will be addressing it today, with the hope of restoring all customers within the next 24 hours," said Mr Christie. "It is major work, so it will take some time. We appreciate the public's patience while we get this done."

In addition to the underground cable repairs, Mr Christie said overnight weather also damaged parts of the grid’s transmission and distribution network. "We also had some weather issues overnight. Some low-voltage lines were brought down, and our teams are repairing those as well," he said.

"A number of things are happening on the system, but we are very active. We're very busy right now, along with Bahamas Grid Company, working to restore all customers who are presently without power."

Mr Christie’s update came as BPL acknowledged an advisory issued by the Bahamas Department of Meteorology, warning of a severe heat wave affecting the Northern Bahamas after four consecutive weeks of persistently high heat indices.

The utility said prolonged high temperatures increase pressure on the electricity system as air conditioners, refrigerators, freezers and other cooling appliances work harder, resulting in higher electricity demand and consumption.

BPL encouraged residents and businesses to help reduce strain on the grid by switching off lights and equipment when not in use, limiting the use of ovens and other heat-generating appliances during the hottest parts of the day, closing blinds and curtains to reduce indoor temperatures, and scheduling energy-intensive activities such as laundry for the evening or early morning where practical.

Businesses were also encouraged to turn off lighting and equipment in unused areas, adjust thermostats slightly higher while maintaining occupant comfort, minimise non-essential electricity use during peak demand periods and keep doors closed in air-conditioned spaces.

Mr Christie said restoration efforts remain ongoing and acknowledged the inconvenience caused to customers. "We understand the frustration, and we appreciate the public's patience," he said. "Our customer service teams are taking calls, and we're working to address every issue on the system and restore power as soon as we can."