Two environmental organisations plan to hold an independent study on Bermuda’s energy policy to find a way to accelerate Bermuda’s transition to renewable energy while reducing electricity costs.

Bermuda Environmental Sustainability Taskforce, in collaboration with Greenrock, is also calling on Government to extend its deadline for responses to the National Energy Sector Policy Consultation by six to 12 weeks. The consultation is due to to end on Monday.

The policy consultation envisions Government abandoning its previous target of generating 85 per cent of the island’s power needs through alternative energy.

Best also said it was setting up a community fund to raise $50,000 to pay for the study.

“Best is calling on the public, private sector, and philanthropic partners to help raise $50,000 to support this comprehensive analysis,” the organisation said in a press statement. “The study will engage energy experts to evaluate how Bermuda can achieve up to 95 per cent energy independence while lowering costs for all residents — particularly the most vulnerable.”

“Public support is essential,” said Kim Smith, executive director of Best. “This is an opportunity for Bermudians to directly invest in a more affordable, cleaner, and fairer energy future. Every contribution brings us closer to solutions that can benefit every household.”

Best said the study would:

• Identify opportunities to expand lower-cost renewable energy

• Recommend actionable policy, financing, and permitting reforms

• Ensure equitable access to energy savings across all income levels

• Reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels

• Strengthen energy resilience and long-term affordability

Best said the study would also explore ways to reduce energy costs as much as possible.

This would include expanding distributed renewable energy though rooftop solar and battery storage, find fair compensation for energy producers, modernise the grid infrastructure to support high renewable penetration, provide targeted financial support for low- and moderate-income households and encourage innovation and competition in the energy sector.

Best is also asking the Government to extend the consultation timeline for the National Energy Sector Policy. It currently ends on Monday.

“Additional time would allow findings from this independent study to be incorporated into the final framework, ensuring stronger, data-driven decisions that better serve Bermuda’s long-term interests,” Best said.

The Government consultation threw out the Regulatory Authority’s 2019 target of generating 85 per cent of the island’s power needs by 2035. Instead the consultation proposed a target of 7 per cent by 2030, 35 per cent by 2040 and 50 per cent by 2050. The policy would also see Government use the lowest possible cost of energy as its main criteria in setting policy for the sector.

Best said donations can be made to Best’s account at Butterfield Bank, number 20-006-060-625713-100). Tax exemption for US donors is provided through the Bermuda Foundation’s 501(c) (3) found via the BEST website: https://best.org.bm/donate/

Public feedback on the National Energy Sector Policy can be made to https://forum.gov.bm/en/projects/nesp-2026