A deadline for public feedback on the National Electricity Sector Policy has been extended by two weeks to May 21.

The original window for submissions on the 61-page document outlining the updated energy policy, which slashed previous renewable energy targets in favour of more “cost-competitive” options, was scheduled to close at 5pm today.

Alexa Lightbourne, the Minister of Home Affairs, said that the extension aims to “broaden public participation in the policy’s development”.

She added that engagement would extend beyond the formal submission window “recognising that durable energy policy requires sustained input from households, industry, civil society and technical experts”.

Her announcement came after two environmental organisations called on the Government to extend its deadline for responses by six to 12 weeks.

The Bermuda Environmental Sustainability Taskforce and Greenrock also said that they plan to conduct an independent study on the island’s approach to energy supply.

Ms Lightbourne said yesterday: “Energy technology is evolving rapidly and Bermuda’s electricity policy must evolve with it.

“The ministry will continue to refine this policy as viable options come forward, while the Regulatory Authority remains the statutory steward of the regulatory framework and the technologies advanced for the sector.”

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The National Electricity Sector Policy April 2026

Submissions from residents were invited from April 15 through the Government’s public engagement portal at forum.gov.bm/en/projects/nesp-2026.

The policy revealed that the Government plans to abandon its target for the island to produce 85 per cent of its energy from renewable sources by 2035 and instead expects to produce 93 per cent from fossil fuels in 2030.

It outlined that the Government’s guiding principles will be cost, reliability and equal access.

A home affairs ministry spokeswoman said: “The ministry will accept all submissions received during the extended period and will remain open to policy proposals and technical contributions following the formal close.

“The ministry will continue to update the policy as viable options are presented and will provide any additional updates in six months, as material evidence supports.

“It is important for the public to note that decisions on the regulatory framework and on the specific technologies advanced for Bermuda's electricity sector remain with the RA as the statutory steward of the sector.”

BEST last week called on the public, private sector and philanthropic partners to help raise $50,000 for an independent study on Bermuda’s energy policy to find a way to accelerate the island’s transition to renewable energy while reducing electricity costs.

The charity said that 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 added that an extension to the consultation deadline 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”.