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Sir Richard Branson is making Necker Island green

-billionaire putting his money where his mouth is on making the region energy efficient by starting with his own private island
Sir Richard Branson is continuing his push for sustainable energy in the Caribbean, and the Caribbean resident is putting his money where his mouth is by continuing to make his private Necker Island in the Virgin Islands more green, following his regional call for sustainable energy development, according to an article on Caribbean Journal’s website. Photo: CJ
Sir Richard Branson. Photo: Provided
Sir Richard Branson. Photo: Provided
NECKER ISLAND, VI - Sir Richard Branson is continuing his push for sustainable energy in the Caribbean, and the Caribbean resident is putting his money where his mouth is by continuing to make his private Necker Island in the Virgin Islands more green, following his regional call for sustainable energy development, according to an article on Caribbean Journal’s website.

Branson has been perhaps the region’s most high-profile advocate for green energy, working with the Carbon War Room and the Rocky Mountain Institute to help regional stakeholders identify the region’s optimal energy future, said the article which appeared on the website on October 13, 2015.

It said that last year, the British billionaire convened a high-level regional conference on Necker that launched the “Ten Island Challenge,” which called for massive investment in green energy development in signatory countries, which ranged from Aruba to Colombia.

“But his latest efforts have been close to home on Necker,” the article stated.

According to the article, Branson has revealed a project that switched on a solar energy system on Necker Island, a project Branson says should provide diesel savings of more than 75 percent.

That project consisted of 1232 photovoltaic solar panels. But Branson isn’t finished. Now he has plans for wind turbines and batteries slated to come on line on Necker Island in November.

“We’re aiming to turn Necker into one of the most renewably-powered islands in the world,” he wrote.

“We understand that we’re in a unique position, but so is the Caribbean as a whole. We can all benefit from the positive environmental, social and economic impacts of sustainability,” he said. “The small islands of the Caribbean may be highly vulnerable to climate change risks, but they have wonderful potential to be global leaders in climate change action,” he wrote, according to the article.

Not looking to promote it until completed

This news site reached out via email to Necker Island for a comment on the project and how it is such an initiative could at a later stage benefit the entire territory. In response, Public Relations Executive for Virgin Limited Edition George Herdman said, “Thank you for your email and interest in Necker Island's green initiatives. As I’m sure you are aware this exciting project is very much on-going and as a result of this, we won’t be looking to promote our efforts until completion. When we are at this stage we’d be more than happy to pick up this conversation with you to discuss editorial opportunities between Necker Island and Virgin Islands News Online.”

20 Responses to “Sir Richard Branson is making Necker Island green”

  • ... (29/10/2015, 15:22) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    Lovely!
  • ......... (29/10/2015, 15:25) Like (20) Dislike (19) Reply
    Who cares.......... So tired of this Self Worshiper....
  • ccc (29/10/2015, 15:53) Like (15) Dislike (4) Reply
    you go richie rich!
  • done deal dealings (29/10/2015, 16:28) Like (29) Dislike (2) Reply
    He got permission but the rest of us cant! So it go?
  • Scary Mary (29/10/2015, 16:49) Like (34) Dislike (1) Reply
    “The small islands of the Caribbean may be highly vulnerable to climate change risks, but they have wonderful potential to be global leaders in climate change action.”

    That would be true - "IF" our government would get with the programme and allow us to go ahead and use solar energy! Unlike Mr. Branson who is in his own little world out on Necker Island, the rest of us are stuck using government generated power.

    For all the travel Dr. Pickering has done, and all the education regarding renewable energy he has supposedly gained, I see very little advancement in the BVI when it comes to reducing our carbon footprint. That pleasure seems to be reserved for the government alone. I am thoroughly disappointed with our lack of progress and see absolutely no benefit to date to all the world travels.

    It seems only the very wealthy, that can afford to buy their own islands, are permitted to do the right thing.
    • Marie (29/10/2015, 20:22) Like (8) Dislike (12) Reply
      You all employ him to work for the rich and famous stop complaining because you like it else you would have change it .
  • the rich gets all (29/10/2015, 17:19) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply
    While the poor are pi$$ on by the government and told that it is rain!!!
  • VG (29/10/2015, 19:29) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply
    And he dumping all his garbage from mosquito and necker on VG. HOW IS THIS BEING GREEN
    • Yes (29/10/2015, 22:04) Like (16) Dislike (3) Reply
      Who really cares? He don't do anything for us! How is this even news?
      • dog (01/11/2015, 13:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        It is an experiment in our own back yard to learn from. It affects us. don't be ignorant. Maybe we can adopt some of the practices. Or are you still throwing your food cartons out the window?
    • Exactly (30/10/2015, 08:57) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
      Not to mention the waste from Necker is trucked onto a barge that then goes to the Valley, and then drives up the hill to the dump where it is all burned. Talk about carbon foot print....
  • Hmm (29/10/2015, 21:16) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
    meanwhile in the bvi, kids still hungry, we have inadequate education a failing infrastructure and diving economy, i personally dont care about a guy who pays people to do the real job and does not REALLY give back or help OUR home.
  • wize up (29/10/2015, 21:27) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
    now you see the real reason why that law was passed in house of assembly which allows others to produce their own electricity
  • Stats (29/10/2015, 21:51) Like (2) Dislike (8) Reply
    To some of the individuals making comments about the Govt not allowing the use of alternative energy. PLEASE NOTE THAT LAW HAS PASSED TO ALLOW ALTERNATIVE ENERGY TO BE USED IN THE BVI.
    • Scary Mary (30/10/2015, 10:00) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
      Try installing solar panels on your roof at home and going off the grid. Not going to happen.
    • Yes (30/10/2015, 23:18) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      With government approval don't forget. Who get's and who don'ts. Lol
  • +++ (29/10/2015, 22:29) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    We have had solar water heater for years (for our cistern) but don't have space for electricity. Branson has the space, but I hope he is careful about viewing from a public way, that is- looking at natural beauty and having it interrupted by sheets of panels and windmills looking industrial. Placement is something to consider.
  • Bromson (30/10/2015, 08:38) Like (12) Dislike (3) Reply
    Who cares what he does -- buying island for less than a million? Boy, we need to wake up. Them out there laughing at us. I want to know which black man can go any place and buy an island from a white owner? Perhaps only if he was high on Jack Daniels when he signed the dotted line. When we catch ourselves, we will have to ask the ancesteral angels to forgive us for our deep folly and hardears.
  • hmmmmmm (30/10/2015, 16:21) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hey Branson, how about donating a few wind mill down at the Pockwood Power Station......................


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