Siemens Energy will deliver a comprehensive energy solution to modernize the Caribbean’s largest cruise port in Nassau, Bahamas. The scope includes power generation, interconnection to the national grid, and ship-to-shore electrification. This initiative will be executed through five contracts totaling USD 65 million. It will replace diesel-powered generation on board docked cruise ships with cleaner energy sources, cutting CO₂ emissions by up to 140,000 tons annually. At the core of the solution is a flexible combined cycle gas-fired power plant, featuring a highly efficient SGT-800 gas turbine, supported by an SST-300 steam turbine and tailored thermal design engineering.
Once connected to the Bahamas’ national grid, the plant will enhance energy stability and benefit more than 200,000 residents, as well as the 5 million tourists who visit Nassau each year. The system is designed to manage grid fluctuations, while boosting efficiency, delivering a more reliable and affordable energy supply.
Located in the Atlantic hurricane belt, the Bahamas face growing risks from climate change. Siemens Energy’s solution is engineered for resilience, capable of withstanding high-intensity hurricanes while maintaining a secure electricity supply from the cruise port to the national grid. The infrastructure includes a power transformer and Gas Insulated Substations to channel energy from the combined cycle plant to the port, with the ability to expand connections to the grid in the future.
High-Efficiency, Low-Emission Technologies Enabling Cleaner Energy in the Caribbean
To ensure safe, efficient, and flexible operations, an advanced control and digitalization system- Omnivise T3000 will be implemented, along with medium- and low-voltage auxiliary electrical systems integrated into pre-assembled electrical and control centers (E-houses). These E-houses significantly reduce construction and commissioning times at both the power generation plant and the cruise port. They are specifically designed for marine environments and engineered to withstand Category 5 hurricanes with wind speeds of up to 320 km/h.
The equipment is manufactured and assembled at Siemens Energy facilities in Sweden, China, Spain, and Brazil.
“The Bahamas needs innovative, resilient, and sustainable solutions to meet its energy transition targets. This project not only reduces emissions and strengthens the national grid, but also demonstrates our commitment to delivering reliable, future-ready energy infrastructure for the benefit of society,” said Javier Pastorino, Managing Director, Latam-North at Siemens Energy.
The initiative represents an investment of approximately US $200 million from Island Power under Viriditas Energy. For the first time in the region, the company counts on a large-scale liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal with a combined cycle power plant. This infrastructure will enable LNG imports, strengthen the Bahamas’ energy security, and accelerate the country’s transition to cleaner energy sources.
With the capacity to simultaneously power up to six cruise ships, the new infrastructure marks a milestone in the Caribbean’s energy transition. By replacing diesel with natural gas and implementing ship-to-shore electrification, the project will not only reduce emissions but also strengthen the national grid in a port that receives more than 1,500 vessels annually.
