Legislation that will see the setting-up of a facility for a Google transatlantic cable station was among several greenlighted by the Upper House yesterday.

The agreement between the Bermuda Land Management Corporation quango and Sea Grass Services Ltd — the Google subsidiary — received support from senators on both sides.

Leslie Robinson, the Junior Minister of Public Works, said the agreement would provide “a backbone for a wider strategy of a digital port with all the requirements for supporting data”.

In September 2023, Google announced a commitment to invest in Bermuda by installing Nuvem — a new transatlantic subsea cable system to connect Portugal, Bermuda and the United States.

The agreement makes way for the establishment of a facility at a 5.9-acre site at Burrows Hill, Southside.

She said Google would pay $4,867,500 for the 262-year lease.

Ms Robinson added that, through its subsidiary, Google would bring benefits to Bermuda including employment for the cable landing stations.

The move will create the infrastructure for a technology hub and increase satellite earth stations.

She added: “We hope that this agreement sets the foundation for even bigger and better things to come.”

Dwayne Robinson, an opposition senator, gave the One Bermuda Alliance’s support.

He said the Opposition “look forward to seeing the growth potential” with “an international company of that reputable size to have a footprint in Bermuda”.

In response to his questions, Ms Robinson said Sea Grass Services was finalising building designs, with an application to be submitted to the Department of Planning.

The Upper House also passed the Tax Reform Commission (Dissolution, Appointment and Validation) Act 2024.

The legislation would make legal the present Tax Reform Commission, which was empanelled on November 10 last year and has been in operation since.

Arianna Hodgson, the Junior Minister of Labour, Finance and Health, said the Bill would “retroactively dissolve the existing commission and appoint a new one”.

Mr Robinson said the OBA supported the Bill and recognised that enacting the legislation was a “corrective measure”.

He added: “What corrective measures have been put in place to mitigate this from happening in the future and what can be expected going forward to make sure that these administrative errors are not made?”

Ms Hodgson responded: “The Ministry of Finance works closely with the Attorney-General’s Chambers on all legislative matters.

“And unfortunately, this is a matter that had not been identified in time to correct it prior to reaching this stage.”

She added: “These types of matters are caught in the legislative drafting process and we have ensured that the process has the relevant checks and balances to ensure that errors like this will not happen in the future.”

The Senate also approved the Electricity Amendment Act 2024 to create a licence for large developments to generate electricity above the existing threshold of 500 kilowatts.

Licences will be subject to the Regulatory Authority’s oversight, to ensure minimal risk to the grid and for costs to remain stable.