BVIEC does not have a 'fuel supply problem'- Dr Neil M. Smith assures
Dr Smith was responding to a question regarding the supply of fuel during a press briefing with the government on its response to the global fuel crisis and associated rising cost of living on Monday, April 20, 2026.
He said it is important to note that the BVIEC does not have a fuel supply problem.
“The region where we get our fuel, which is in the Gulf Coast, doesn’t have an issue with fuel supply. What we have is a problem of markets, so if they see that they’re going to carry the price up, they’re going to bring it up; that’s just business, capitalism, but we don’t have a fuel supply problem.”
Sol has a contractual obligation
Dr Smith added that Sol, the company contracted by the BVIEC to provide fuel, has a contractual obligation to provide fuel. Sol, he explained, provides fuel at “price plus”.
“The price is going up, and that’s where we get caught up, but it’s not a supply at all.”
The fuel comes from the United States, and Dr Smith assured that there is “more than enough fuel” to supply the BVIEC for a “long, long time”.
“So that’s not an issue; it’s just an issue of how the markets behave after that.”
The Government of the Virgin Islands will be subsidising both residential and commercial customers of BVIEC by $1 million per month for three months, starting immediately.



























5 Responses to “BVIEC does not have a 'fuel supply problem'- Dr Neil M. Smith assures”
Were basically falling apart. Its the norm here but not acceptable.
Additionally, one can simply look at the monthly fuel data publications from BVIEC, of which I have read, to see that BVIEC produce 1kW at an average of about 23 cents and only sells 0-60 kW at 24 cents, whereas the other rate bands are all below 23 cents and about 16.75 cents for those who generate the most electricity. Meaning, BVIEC is clearly operating at a loss, coupled with their monthly fuel subsidy, which only further impacts their financial viability. Please do your research before jumping to conclusions and spewing misinformation.
Take a read of their latest fuel publication: https://bvielectricity.com/bviecs-monthly-fuel-data-february-2026/