General Manager of the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC), Dr Neil M. Smith during the August 25, 2026, press conference of the corporation. Photo: GIS

BVIEC's disconnection policy is that all bills more than 30 days in arrears are subject to disconnection. Photo: BVIEC

Dr Smith clarified this during a press conference on August 25, 2026. “The disconnections that we have this month are for monies owed last month; they have nothing to do with this increase in electricity bills.”

BVIEC's disconnection policy is that all bills more than 30 days in arrears are subject to disconnection. 

BVIEC is gov’t owned but also a business 

Dr Smith reminded that while BVIEC is government-owned, it is still a business. 

“You can’t expect to continuously habitually owe a business that’s providing service to you and expect it to survive.”

BVIEC employees are customers too

Dr Smith offered an apology to customers if BVIEC has been in any way unsympathetic in the approach or conversation about delinquency, 

“I apologise for that; but what I can’t apologise for is that we have to collect at some point. We work with you.”

He added that BVIEC employees are customers too and pay the same bills without rebates or special treatment. 

“I have given my own staff instructions: if I don’t pay my bill, disconnect me. So, we’re not looking for any favourite treatment.”

BVIEC, he said, understands that some people have it more difficult than others and is willing to work with them. 

“But what we tend to get a bit put off about is when people are habitually delinquent.”