The extent of BVIEC's financial losses following the 2017 hurricanes was revealed in its 2017 - 2018 financial audit, which it described as 'quite sizable'. Photo: VINO/File

A significant number customers of the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) are yet to be connected to the grid, resulting in a significant revenue loss for the power generation and distribution company. Photo: Facebook

General Manager of BVIEC, Mr Leroy A. E. Abraham said during a press conference on Friday, July 17, 2020, that some 2000 customers have not yet been returned to the grid. Photo: Facebook

Sizeable customer loss

The extent of BVIEC's financial losses following the 2017 hurricanes was revealed in its 2017 - 2018 financial audit, which it described as "quite sizable".

The company declined to release direct figures ahead of the subject Minister making it public first through the House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands.

Prior to the 2017 hurricanes, BVIEC had just over 17,000 customers and while that was reduced to approximately 13,000 after the hurricanes, it has now climbed to some 15,000.

"Six months after those events (hurricanes) when we would have fully restored the grid we were only able to connect just under or over 13, 000 of those almost 17, 000 of our customers," General Manager of BVIEC, Mr Leroy A. E. Abraham said during a press conference on Friday, July 17, 2020.

Restorations continue

Mr Abraham explained that as time progressed and persons restored their homes and other buildings, they have been added back to the grid.

“But right now we are up to just over 15,000 of that original just over 17,000 customer bar."

He said that among those customers that are still off the system are a number of large entities, including hotels, that have not yet recovered.

"That impacts your revenue," Mr Abraham said.

Bill amnesty programme

Nonetheless, the corporation is happy that it is still able to offer some relief to customers during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic era.

"We have structured the business so that we can facilitate the amnesty programme.

Meanwhile, Chairperson of the Board of Directors Mrs Rosemarie Flax said that while the deadline for persons to apply for amnesty from the BVIEC has expired they are not turning away any late applications.

She said approximately 500 applications were received so far with some 450 processed as of last Friday.

As part of the government's economic stimulus plan announced by Premier Andrew A. Fahie (R1), a collaboration was announced with BVIEC to offer a 3-month amnesty for May, June and July on electricity bills for 'qualifying' persons, individuals and businesses.