General Manager of the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) Dr Neil M. Smith has disclosed that while a credit will be applied to customers’ next bills, he will not reveal exactly how much that credit will be. Photo: YouTube

Minister for Communications and Works, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) said the government needs time to review and see where additional funds are needed and add more subsidies where necessary. Photo: YouTube

General Manager of the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) Dr Neil M. Smith sought to explain how electricity bills are generated during a press conference on Tuesday, August 26, 2026. Photo: YouTube

Speaking during a press conference on Tuesday, August 26, 2026, Dr Smith also said there will not be a difference in terms of the credit applied to domestic and commercial bills. 

Customers received high electricity bills in August, reflecting an increase in fuel costs for July 2026. 

He tried to explain that the figures have to be cleared not just by the Ministry of Communications and Works but by the Ministry of Finance and may need final approval by Cabinet. 

“We had some initial discussions that we’ll apply…So I’m kind of reticent, I guess, to say exactly what it is; we have it in our minds…we’re going to have central government on the hook.”

Hon Rymer can’t decide on his own

Dr Smith said the decision regarding the credit is not something the Minister for Communications and Works, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5), can make unilaterally because government is designed to be transparent and accountable. 

“He has to speak with the Minister of Finance; they have to look at the budget, they have to decide how they’re going to do the supplementary appropriations, that type of stuff.”

When pressed about it, Dr Smith replied, “I’m not going to tell you that because the minister and I might have a private conversation, BVIEC might be willing to carry some of the cost, but if we make a public statement and say it 5 per cent and in our final negotiations it works out to be something less or more, the press would be right in saying that we misled the public. That’s the reason why I’m not saying it.”

He said that until final approval is received, which will most likely be a Cabinet decision, they do not want to disclose more to the public. 

Pay your bills 

Dr Smith still encouraged customers to pay their bills, adding, “I can say you’ll get a credit.”

Meanwhile, Hon Rymer reiterated that a credit will be added to the bills in September. 

“You will see a credit to your bills, so you wouldn’t be paying the full amount for this month, and you would see a subsidy for the following month.”

He explained that this will give the government time to review where additional funds are needed and add more subsidies where necessary.