ABACO, THE BAHAMAS – Communities across Abaco face mounting economic losses and operational paralysis as an extended power crisis entered its second consecutive day, triggering widespread concerns about holiday tourism viability and long-term infrastructure stability.
Residents throughout Central and South Abaco, Hope Town, and Sweeting Village reported enduring over 24 hours of intermittent electricity failures, resulting in substantial inventory spoilage, appliance damage, and minimal communication from Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) regarding restoration timelines.
Hope Town restaurateur Junior Menard, 54, disclosed approximately $4,000 in refrigerated inventory losses after power fluctuations commenced Tuesday afternoon. ‘This isn’t a minor operational glitch but a systemic failure,’ Menard emphasized, noting the critical timing for tourism-dependent businesses preparing for peak holiday revenue. The crisis stems from BPL’s reliance on redirected power from North Abaco through rotational load-shedding protocols.
In Sweeting Village, homeowner Deedee Russell, 70, sustained nearly $4,800 in losses after two refrigerators failed across separate properties. Russell condemned the utility’s communication breakdown despite regular bill payments, noting outages occur ‘almost daily’ without advance notice.
BPL officials attributed the island-wide collapse to a critical compressor failure at the Wilson City Power Plant, which regulates essential airflow within the station. When primary and backup systems malfunctioned simultaneously, engineering teams attempted emergency repairs using locally sourced parts and portable compressors—all operating below required pressure thresholds.
Northern Family Island Regional Manager Marvin Green confirmed a replacement compressor originally scheduled for December 8 has been delayed until January 2026, exacerbating the infrastructure emergency. Hope Town’s power stability was further compromised by land constraints preventing simultaneous operation of multiple new-generation units installed in August.
Central and South Abaco MP John Pinder acknowledged the Wilson City facility’s historical operational challenges in Parliament, advocating for customer bill credits given the ‘enormous outage frequency’ during the critical holiday period. While residents recognize line crews’ efforts in sweltering conditions, businesses urgently seek reliable power before Christmas tourism surges intensify economic pressures.