BVIEC EMPOWERS LINEWORKERS WITH LIVE-LINE TRAINING TO REDUCE OUTAGES

 

Tortola, British Virgin Islands, July 14, 2025 — The BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) has launched a transformative initiative to significantly enhance the capacity of its lineworkers to perform maintenance and repairs on live electrical lines without disrupting the flow of electricity to communities and households across the Virgin Islands.

The 12-week Live-Line Training Programme, now nearing completion for its first cohort, equips BVIEC’s linesmen with the specialised skills needed to carry out work on energised powerlines safely and efficiently. The initial group of participants includes Ronald Baird, Damian Richardson, Edward Pollock, and Shaquil Samuel, who are being trained under the expert guidance of Tim Self, owner of Tim Self Powerline Safety and Training.

The programme is structured into three progressive four-week phases: classroom-based instruction, hands-on practice in a controlled environment on non-energised lines, and practical exercises on live lines. The final two weeks take the training into the field across Tortola, where trainees perform real-time jobs on energized infrastructure.

Tim Self underscored the safety and customer service benefits of the programme:

“One, it’s a little bit safer in the fact that before, the assumption was the line is dead—if I assume the line is dead and I touch it, I die. Now, the assumption is the line is hot, so they’re going to take all their safety precautions before they touch it. Thus, you will find a reduction in incidents just off of that,” said Self.
“And of course, the added benefit is that we no longer have to de-energise lines for routine work. What would normally take hours of outages can now be done seamlessly, with customers not even noticing any interruption.”

Minister for Communications and Works, Honourable Kye Rymer, visited the lineworkers during a recent live-line training exercise in the community and commended the initiative for its impact and foresight.

“This not only enhances the reliability of our power infrastructure but also demonstrates our commitment to investing in the professional development of our workforce and delivering uninterrupted service to the people of the Virgin Islands,” Minister Rymer stated.

BVIEC’s General Manager, Dr. Neil Smith, also praised the programme, calling it a game-changer for both operational excellence and customer satisfaction.

“This initiative moves BVIEC forward in a major way. It speaks to innovation, safety, and reliability—all of which are critical to our mission. I commend the team for embracing this new level of professional capability and for their dedication to maintaining service quality across the Territory,” said Dr. Smith.

Upon completion, BVIEC plans to continue expanding this training to additional lineworkers as part of its long-term vision to strengthen electrical resilience and minimize service interruptions across the Territory.