Workers at the power plant. Photo: VINO/File

Hon Mark H. Vanterpool says Territory to reduce fossil fuel imports 20% by 2021. Photo: VINO/File

Mr Ron Potter – Chairman of the Corporation said, “…this is a monumental achievement for both the BVIEC and the Territory as a whole. Photo: VINO/File

The announcement was made by way of a press release which quoted subject Minister Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool (R4) saying that “the coming into effect of this legislation indicates further progress in the goal of the Government of the Virgin Islands (VI) to address the current and future energy needs of our Territory.”

The Minister for Communications and Works, Hon Vanterpool further noted in the release, “even as we continue to import oil and gasoline for our energy and transportation needs, efforts intensify to reduce our vulnerability to this risk.”

Reduced Imports 

He said 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 per cent and that 50 per cent of consumers will be using energy conservation measures and by 2023, 30 per cent of the Territory’s energy will be supplied by renewable means.

Mr Ron Potter – Chairman of the Corporation said, “…this is a monumental achievement for both the 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. 

Grid Tie

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 observed that the objective of the diversification of energy production in the VI 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,” he also noted