Article by Kim Smith, Executive Director, BEST – The Royal Gazette, July14, 2026

The Bermuda Environmental Sustainability Taskforce is deeply concerned by the new electricity rate structure announced by Belco and approved by the Regulatory Authority. While the changes have been presented as improving transparency and fairness, they risk delivering exactly the opposite outcome for Bermuda’s clean energy future.

The dramatic increase in facilities charges for customers with rooftop solar fundamentally changes the economics of renewable energy investment. For many homeowners and businesses, the additional fixed costs will significantly lengthen the payback period for solar installations and may make future projects financially unattractive.

At a time when Bermuda should be accelerating its transition to renewable energy, these changes risk slowing or even reversing solar adoption across the island.

This is not simply an issue for existing and prospective solar owners. It is an issue for every Bermudian who wants a cleaner environment, greater energy security and protection from volatile international fuel prices.

Every rooftop solar installation reduces Bermuda’s dependence on imported fossil fuels. Every kilowatt-hour generated locally is one that does not require imported oil to produce electricity. Every investment in renewable energy moves Bermuda one step closer to energy independence and helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

By making rooftop solar less economically viable, the new rate structure risks locking Bermuda into continued dependence on imported fossil fuels for decades to come. Rather than encouraging local clean energy production, it strengthens reliance on an energy model that leaves Bermuda exposed to global fuel price shocks and undermines the island’s climate commitments.

The policy also threatens Bermuda’s growing renewable energy sector. Solar companies have invested in skilled employees, training, equipment and local expertise.

Read more here: https://www.royalgazette.com/opinion-writer/opinion/article/20260714/kim-smith-new-electricity-rates-threaten-bermudas-clean-energy-future/