The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) is the independent regulator and
competition authority for the Electricity Sector (ES) in The Bahamas, pursuant to The Electricity
Act, 2024 (EA). The EA establishes that the main goal of the electricity sector policy is the creation
of a regime for the supply of safe, least-cost, reliable, and environmentally sustainable electricity
throughout The Bahamas. URCA considers a clear and transparent licensing system, including
exemptions where appropriate, is a necessary precondition for the attainment of this goal.
Entities who conduct generation, transmission, distribution, or supply (GTDS) functions in the
electricity sector require a licence issued by URCA1. URCA determines the conditions contained
in the licences2, and as part of the determination process, URCA consults with persons who have
a sufficient interest in the subject matter3. In addition to transparency, this consultation aids in
ensuring URCA’s regulatory documents and actions are fit for purpose.
URCA has established and issued licenses in the ES, including Public Electricity Supplier Licenses
to Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) and Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC). A full listing of
the types of ES licenses and licence holders is available on URCA’s website at
www.urcabahamas.bs. As the ES evolves, it has become necessary to develop new licence types.
In this case, URCA has developed an Electricity Transmission and Distribution Licence (“the
Licence”).
URCA published a consultation document (ES 07/2024), on 2 August 2024, which included a draft
of the Electricity Transmission and Distribution Licence. The purpose of that consultation was to
provide some context concerning its issuance, and receive feedback on the contents of the
licence, including how it may be improved. The consultation closed on 2 September 2022. No
comments were received.
This Statement of Results and Final Decision discusses matters germane to the Licence before
providing URCA’s conclusion and the next steps.
URCA-ES-09-2024-Transmission-and-Distribution-Licence-SoR-and-FD.pdf