Opposition MP says our energy policy needs more structure
Statement by Dwayne Robinson, Shadow Home Affairs Minister:
Bermuda needs a national direction when it comes to our energy policy.
After a two-week extension, the consultation on the draft National Electricity Sector Policy (NESP) ended on May 21, 2026.
The draft NESP 2026 was said to be “nearly final” in a column written by the Minister of Home Affairs. When will this plan be finalised?
The recent increase of the Fuel Adjustment Rates by $2.17 shows that though Government can dull the impact with its fuel duty relief, which is supported by the One Bermuda Alliance, it cannot truly protect the consumers from increased costs.
More must be done on a structural level to ensure affordability and sustainability of our energy sector going forward.
We welcome the Minister’s pivot from her predecessor’s steep renewable targets to a more reasonable transitional timeline.
However, with the recent fee structure implemented by Belco to provide greater transparency of its billing has caused backlash from Bermudians who have invested in solar energy.
Though Belco has gone through great lengths to explain the change and has a thorough explanation on their website, many have reached out to my colleagues and I, in outrage.
They feel that they were led to invest in solar energy by the Government’s strong push toward renewable energy and given a raw deal by this new facility charge change.
Some have said it will increase their bill to amounts higher than before they installed their solar panels.
How will this impact the Government’s renewable energy targets? We need to ensure that efforts to move towards renewable energy are supported and not discouraged.
Just like my comments during the debate on the Electricity Amendment Act 2026, as legislators, we must be aware of unintended consequences.
A ministerial directive from May 2, 2025 put this fee restructure into motion and we are seeing the unintended consequences of good intentions.
The escalating cost of electricity in Bermuda remains a top concern on the doorstep. During a cost-of-living crisis Bermudians cannot afford any additional burdens.
We are glad the Government has worked on the Draft NESP 2026, with consultation from the public, now we need to see the final version.
The One Bermuda Alliance believes a national plan will help give direction to Bermuda’s energy sector and will be a great step in providing clarity to Bermudians on our island’s energy future.
