I genuinely appreciate when residents take the effort to share their concerns directly — it helps us understand what matters most. It is important to respond to the specific points raised in a Letter to the Editor published on August 28, as I believe there may be some misunderstandings about our operations and commitments that I would like to clarify.

Regarding pollution-impact costs

I understand the frustration about the ongoing maintenance required for homes surrounding Belco, and I want to be clear that we don't ignore these costs — we cover them. Belco fully funds all mitigation services, including roof painting, car cleaning, tank cleaning and property power washing, at no cost to affected residents. I know this does not eliminate the inconvenience they experience, but there is no financial burden placed on our neighbours for these services.

We work individually with each affected resident to make this remediation process as seamless as possible. If property owners that have been affected have not been contacted by our team, or if the process has not been working well for them, please reach out to me directly.

Regarding property values, I recognise this is a significant concern. It is worth noting that while homes in the area were built and purchased next to an existing power plant, over the decades we have worked to improve our overall environmental impact. We have constructed and decommissioned various parts of our operations over the years, and while this has sometimes affected neighbours differently, the net environmental impact has consistently improved and we remain committed to continuing to reduce our carbon footprint.

The engine decision and fuel reality

Providing some context behind our fuel situation is important, as the timeline may not have been clear in previous communications. The process for our existing engines in the North Power Station began around 2011 and took several years before we received the approvals we needed to begin the engine replacement process. By 2018, the engines in the old power station were well past their useful life and we faced a critical decision: proceed with replacement or risk power-supply security for all of Bermuda.

This is exactly why we chose dual-fuel engines — we were preparing for what we hoped would be Bermuda’s transition to liquefied natural gas in the wake of the global trend towards cleaner bridging fuels. When LNG approval did not come through, we faced a difficult reality: operate these engines on available fuel or risk power-supply disruptions.

The engines are performing exactly as they should, providing reliable electricity to our customers. When MAN Energy Solutions discussed emissions considerations, it was sharing technical facts, not identifying operational problems.

Water-quality standards

We maintain strict compliance with all required drinking-water standards and will continue to do so. Our monitoring protocols ensure we meet all safety benchmarks for the community’s water supply set by the Bermuda Government.

Our mitigation efforts

Our cleaning and maintenance programmes are not public relations initiatives; they are real operational commitments that we have maintained for 30 years. I understand they may be viewed as temporary measures, and honestly, so do we. Like our neighbours, we want permanent solutions, which is why we advocate for cleaner fuel options when they become economically viable for our customers.

The fuel-choice challenge

Here is the reality I face every day: our customers consistently tell us they need affordable electricity. With present fuel options, we can deliver affordable power only by using heavy fuel oil. While we are permitted to use cleaner, lighter fuels, this would significantly increase costs for every single one of our 36,000 customers on the island.

We desperately want to use LNG — it would be both cleaner and more cost-effective — but we need regulatory approval through the Integrated Resource Plan process. We cannot make this transition unilaterally.

Moving forward

Our entire team at Belco agree that our neighbours deserve clean air and safe water. These are not unreasonable expectations. Our engines are not incompatible with existing fuel — they are optimised for available fuel and operate reliably. But I hear the frustration of those living near the plant, and I share their desire for better solutions.

As a utility serving our community, we must balance environmental responsibility with what our customers can afford. Most of our customers prioritise cost savings, and we have an obligation to serve that need while working towards cleaner alternatives.

Let me thank those who continue to advocate for their community. I hope we can work together towards solutions that are in everyone’s best interests.

• Wayne Caines is the president of Belco and its parent company, Liberty