Pembroke MP Jason Hayward is ‘standing in solidarity’ with the power station’s neighbours
Find a solution to BELCO emissions – and find it fast.
Area MP Jason Hayward this week stating his support of Pembroke residents whose properties are in the pollution zone around the North Power Station.
Residents sent BELCO and the MP series of photos showing black deposits and brown smears in June and July, and cited fumes that sometimes make it difficult to go outside.
Jason Hayward, also Minister of Economy & Labour, said via a press statement that he is “deeply concerned by the ongoing environmental disturbances affecting our community”.
He continues, “I stand in solidarity with the residents who have voiced their frustrations and urge BELCO to accelerate the implementation of a long-term solution that eliminates these harmful emissions.
“Environmental justice is not optional—it is a fundamental right… I encourage all residents to remain vocal and vigilant”.
MP Hayward also calls on BELCO to engage more frequently and transparently with residents, to restore and clean damaged properties, and guarantee access to clean drinking water.
Issues with fallout and emissions have been ongoing since the North Power Station came online in 2020.
BELCO president Wayne Caines previously said this is because the new engines were “optimised” for liquid natural gas – a fuel source that has never been permitted in Bermuda, and prohibited by the Regulatory Authority in the 2019 Integrated Resource Plan.
BELCO submitted its proposal for the next IRP last October, including some scenarios with LNG. The RA recently advised that there will be more public consultation on alternative energy proposals, and further analysis, before a final IRP is published.
All the same, in a letter to MP Hayward dated July 1st this year, BELCO’s Nadir Wade cited multiple steps they have taken to mitigate pollution from the NPS – including starting up engines with cleaner fuel, installing odour filters, and reducing the size of emission particles.
Despite this, some area residents continue to feel that there has been no significant change to fallout or emissions.
Mr Wade’s letter cited independent tests that show the drinking water and air quality meeting the standards of the World Health Organization and United States Environmental Protection Agency.
He also said BELCO’s location has been industrially zoned for more than a century, and cited the unique challenge of operating where residential areas have “developed around our
pre-existing industrial operations over the decades”.
Responding to Bermuda Broadcasting today, Mr Wade said BELCO takes the concerns of neighbouring residents seriously, and in July they painted roofs, washed cars and power-washed properties following reports that 15 homes had been impacted by emissions.
Mr Wade continues, quote: “We will continue to listen, take action to improve our operations and mitigate any impacts. If any property owner believes they have been impacted by BELCO operations, they should contact the OHSE team by visiting the website belco.bm or calling 295-5111.”
Press Statement by Pembroke Central MP, Jason Hayward
As the elected representative for the people of Pembroke Central, I am deeply concerned by the ongoing environmental disturbances affecting our community, particularly those stemming from emissions and soot deposits believed to be originating from BELCO operations.
On the dates of July 20, 21 and 22, 2025, residents reported a significant accumulation of soot on their properties, this is in addition to reported incidents in June. These recurring incidents are not only disruptive but also distressing, as they compromise the cleanliness of homes and the well-being of families.
I stand in solidarity with the residents who have voiced their frustrations and urge BELCO to accelerate the implementation of a long-term solution that eliminates these harmful emissions. The health and safety of our community must be prioritized without delay.
Furthermore, I call on BELCO to:
• Engage more transparently and frequently with affected residents, ensuring their concerns are heard and addressed.
• Restore damaged property and provide support for cleaning efforts where soot accumulation has occurred.
• Guarantee access to clean drinking water and take proactive steps to prevent any contamination risks.
Environmental justice is not optional—it is a fundamental right. I will continue to advocate for accountability and action, and I encourage all residents to remain vocal and vigilant, so that we ensure our community remains a safe and healthy place to live.
BELCO response from Managing Director, Nadir Wade
“Bermuda Electric Light Company Limited (“BELCO”) has been serving Bermuda reliably for over 119 years and continues to support approximately 36,000 customers island wide.
As Bermuda’s electricity provider, we recognise that our operations may impact the lives of residents living next to land that is zoned for industrial operations. In July BELCO was notified that 15 homes experienced impacts related to emissions. We responded swiftly to mitigate those impacted customers including painting roofs, washing cars, and power-washing properties. We’ve been working over the past several years to balance providing Bermuda with reliable electricity production while being better neighbours. The concerns of our immediate neigbours are understandable, and we continue to take them very seriously.
Since the commissioning of the North Power Station, we have actively communicated with nearby residents, including the Bermuda Clean Air Coalition. We engage in regular walkabouts and direct meetings, including participating twice in Constituency 17’s Saturday morning clinics to discuss residents’ concerns, and send letters to the community as recently as last week. We are committed to transparency and responsiveness and want our neighbours to know that remediation efforts are in place and ongoing.
Bermuda’s long‑term energy strategy contemplates electricity production from alternative fuel sources as a transition away from Bermuda’s reliance on heavy fuel oil to produce electricity on island. Any transition to an alternative fuel source would aim to reduce emissions and soot fallout.
Our phased mitigation efforts—which include technical upgrades to engines, odour control enhancements, filtration improvements, and operational adjustments—have resulted in significant reductions in fallout and odour incidents. These efforts are ongoing and are being optimised continuously.
BELCO’s management and Occupational Health, Safety & Environment (OHSE) teams engage in open dialogue with neighbours and are responsive to their concerns. The Company also remediates any impacts on neighbouring properties as quickly as possible.
Detailed information and progress updates are accessible via our website. We will continue to listen, take action to improve our operations and mitigate any impacts.
If any property owner believes they have been impacted by BELCO operations, they should contact the OHSE team by visiting the website belco.bm or calling 295-5111.”
