PRESS RELEASE

The BVI Electricity Corporation is pleased to announce that with the British Virgin Islands Electricity Corporation (Renewable Energy) Regulations, 2018 which came into effect on November 1, 2018; coupled with the British Virgin Islands Electricity Corporation (Amendment) Act, 2015 the Territory now has the legal framework to advance the subject of “Renewable Energy.”

“The coming into effect of this legislation indicates further progress in the goal of the Government of the Virgin Islands to address the current and future energy needs of our Territory,” stated Minister for Communications and Works, Honourable Mark Vanterpool. “Even as we continue to import oil and gasoline for our energy and transportation needs, efforts intensify to reduce our vulnerability to this risk. With the modernizing of legislation and a public education campaign, Government will also continue initiatives to ensure that by 2021, fossil fuel imports will decrease by 20%, 50% of consumers will be using energy conservation measures and by 2023, 30% of the Territory’s energy will be supplied by renewable means.

Mr. Ron Potter – Chairman of the Corporation stated, “This is a monumental achievement for both the British Virgin Islands Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) and the Territory as a whole, and I am pleased that this goal which was set by the Corporation has finally come to fruition.”

Both the BVIEC (Amendment) Act, 2015 and BVIEC (Renewable Energy) Regulations, 2018 work together to provide both residents and entities wishing to install a renewable energy system at their homes, businesses or utility scale projects the necessary guidelines in order to do so. What is equally important is that it permits a “grid-tie” arrangement for residential and commercial systems and the prescribed “feed-in-tariff” which goes along with “grid-tie”.

The General Manager – Mr. Leroy A.E. Abraham was quoted as saying, “The objective of the diversification of energy production in the BVI utilizing renewable energy has long been a strategic objective for BVIEC for approximately fifteen years. With the enabling legislation now in place to support the renewable energy industry locally; this is not only the beginning of securing a more sustainable and resilient energy future for the Territory but will also demonstrate that the BVI is doing its part to combat climate change”.

BVIEC is therefore encouraging residents with a desire to install a renewable energy system in their homes or businesses, to familiarize themselves with these legislations. It is the intention of BVIEC to disseminate more information regarding this subject in the coming weeks.

The BVI Electricity Corporation takes this opportunity to thank everyone who played a part in this milestone being realized – the Government of the Virgin Islands, BVIEC’s renewable energy consultants – DNV GL, Clean Energy Solutions Center, and Rocky Mountain Institute.