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Green Agenda: Premier wants solar panels on 'many roofs as possible'

- said BVIEC will be pressed to introduce a solar panel project
Virgin Islands Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natlaio D. Wheatley (R7) said he plans to push for the Virgin Islands (VI) to transition more into using more green energy sources and green practices including a project to the get the BVI Electricity Corporation to implement solar in as many homes as possible. Photo: Internet Source/Alternative Energy Systems (AES)
The Premier was at the time speaking during a Friday, December 8, 2023, press conference on the need to use more green energy following questions from the media. Photo: GIS/Facebook
The Premier was at the time speaking during a Friday, December 8, 2023, press conference on the need to use more green energy following questions from the media. Photo: GIS/Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Virgin Islands Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) said he plans to push for the Virgin Islands (VI) to transition into using more green energy sources and green practices, including a project to the get the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) to install solar panels on many homes as possible.

The Premier was at the time speaking during a Friday, December 8, 2023, press conference to update the public on his recent trip to COP28 in Dubai.

“I'm going to be pressing more for progress as it pertains to our own agendas…to climate change. It's going to start with a pledge that the government itself is going to be making, [to] take its own green pledge,” he said while adding that the Government is also involved in practices that are not green in nature.

The Premier added, “We can do a better job in terms of setting an example for the whole territory and to being more ambitious as it pertains to how we deal with reducing the use of plastic, reducing the use of energy, procuring a green way…. we can do better than what we're doing right now."

He said the plans to push towards a more green agenda will also include pressing the BVI Electricity Corporation to introduce a project to put solar panels on as many roofs as possible.

“One thing I'll be approaching the Climate Change Trust Fund [on] is a project to provide some funding through the [BVI] Electricity Corporation to get that solar panel project moving.”

More electric vehicles 

Meanwhile, the Premier also spoke about the need to have more fully electric vehicles as well as ensure the green energy source from the Government side is provided, adding that there is a need to build the infrastructure necessary, such as charging ports, to be able to make those things a reality.

He said Communications and Works Minister, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) implementing electric shuttles was a good move but there is a need for the government to at least move to hybrids; however, the energy also has to come from renewable sources.

“I want to see us fast forward our green agenda and recognise the threat that we have of Climate Change and that the whole world is being urged to make the transition and we don't want to be slow and be last in making the transition," the Premier said.

14 Responses to “Green Agenda: Premier wants solar panels on 'many roofs as possible'”

  • Oh wait… (11/12/2023, 13:44) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
    Presumably a ban on styrofoam is forthcoming then?
  • Kingfish (11/12/2023, 14:16) Like (22) Dislike (1) Reply
    Wasted $250,000.00 for a party would have gone a long way in helping to finance solar panels for the BVI.
  • BIG HOUSE (11/12/2023, 14:20) Like (28) Dislike (1) Reply
    you can start by introducing duty free for anything renewable, duty free for electric cars. Next is getting BVIEC to actually work with those willing to invest in renewable energy, not against and try to bill them more to make the project uneconomical. Most people willing to put solar or renewable dont need to see profit, they just need to see sense, the current law does not make sense!!
  • Rubber Duck (11/12/2023, 14:23) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    Is he going to get rid of the rule that houses must be connected to the electricity grid and that the electricity company has to sign off every panel.

    Its my understanding they have signed off 9 projects in 10 years and each one takes years and costs plenty.
    • @ rubber duck (12/12/2023, 05:29) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      Stop using my name you fake HATER get your own name like governor's office
  • I had a dream (11/12/2023, 15:01) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
    Everyday he wakes up with a new dream but has zero sense about the reality of it all. Sort of like a 2-year old.
  • again (11/12/2023, 15:40) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Let's hear it about Anegada's project going forward.Another lost,God help us
  • lol (11/12/2023, 16:23) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    First problem is this is not an issue for BVIEC. This should be an issue for MC&W.
    BVIEC should be looking at alternative energy and should have moved off a diesel to cleaner burning NG years ago. Then how would the usual sycophants have access to the usual fuel contracts?
  • Flying missiles and projectiles (11/12/2023, 18:37) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    These things will be flying all over the place during the next hurricane
    • if (12/12/2023, 07:20) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
      The panels is installed correctly by someone that is knowledgeable and knows what they are doing the panels should not be flying all over the place. But of course things ON THE ISLAND IS DONE SUB PAR OR IS FIXED WITH A BAND AID OR CRAZY GLUE.
  • Slowande (11/12/2023, 20:27) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    I have observed that Joe Camel likes to tell people what they want to hear while taking zero steps to make any of it a reality.
  • Yes (12/12/2023, 07:09) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    BVI Electricity Corporation needs a forensic Audit. And not by any of these companies around here either. Investigators should come in to do it.
  • Baby steps (12/12/2023, 09:25) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Do simple things, like getting people to install solar water heaters. Then move from there. Solar power systems are beyond the reach of the average homeowner. Stop dreaming and come up with practical ideas.
  • hm (13/12/2023, 15:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    So why the hell train solar technicians if you want BVIEC to do the installs? No damn common sense.


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