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No more talking! ‘We have to find ways’ to lower electricity cost– Hon Penn

The Henry Wilfred Smith Power Station at Pockwood Pond. Opposition Member Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) says the Virgin Islands must find ways to reduce the cost of electricity for customers. Photo: VINO/File
 Opposition Member, Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) has made calls for ways to reduce the cost of electricity in the VI, adding that the cost reductions must not only be for businesses but for households in the territory. Photo: HoA/Youtube
Opposition Member, Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) has made calls for ways to reduce the cost of electricity in the VI, adding that the cost reductions must not only be for businesses but for households in the territory. Photo: HoA/Youtube
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Opposition Member Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) has said there must be a way to reduce the cost of electricity in the Virgin Islands (VI), adding that the cost reductions must not only be for businesses but also for households in the territory.

“I don't know about you, Madam Speaker, but every day before you log on to look at your electric bill, you have to say a prayer. You don't know what number is going to show up this month," Hon Penn said during the Second Sitting of the First Session of the Fifth House of Assembly on July 7, 2023.

“And I could imagine the many persons throughout the territory, who are grappling with exorbitant costs to date, particularly in the summer months," he added.

Make electricity more cost-effective - Hon Penn 

Hon Penn reiterated that to reduce the cost of electricity, the VI has to find ways to make sure that electricity is more cost-effective, “And the only way that I see us doing this right now is through the modernisation of the grid through renewable energy. And we have to just stop talking about this and move swiftly in this direction"

He said that will entail creating a more modern grid, creating more efficiency, and creating a more cost-effective source of electricity for persons in the territory. 

Hon Penn also called for the government to find ways to reduce the debts of the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC), which he says will bring more financing for projects of the corporation to provide better services to customers.

21 Responses to “No more talking! ‘We have to find ways’ to lower electricity cost– Hon Penn ”

  • School children are saying that ... (12/07/2023, 08:18) Like (25) Dislike (1) Reply
    ... if it was possible to process all the hot air the politicians spew in the HoA we would not need to import fuel.
  • First Thing (12/07/2023, 08:27) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Government needs to clear the 10mil bill.
  • Head Coach (12/07/2023, 09:00) Like (11) Dislike (4) Reply
    the virgin islands party cares less about the people
    • @ head coach (12/07/2023, 12:28) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      oh NO that is the NDP a man who rape us of 1 million now facing criminal charges and still end out in the House.
  • The government said no! (12/07/2023, 09:07) Like (23) Dislike (0) Reply
    It's widely known that alternative solutions have been offered in the past with some of our richer residents offering to help fund it. But government said no. Why? Because it would be a scheme to put ownership to us all and not to the government officials to fill their pockets. Another reason the COI was needed, to protect us that are not from one of the 5 families.
  • I wonder (12/07/2023, 09:33) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    Do we really need a government, I ask myself. Overpaid, under qualified, talkers. That is all they are. No, we do not need a government.
  • justin (12/07/2023, 09:55) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    how comes the government lights not getting disconnected for non payment of light bills. If you dont pay your house bills you will be disconnected and sometimes things tuff giving you challenges to pay your light bill and here we have the government owing millions and that’s alright…..wat ah ting
  • An Idea (12/07/2023, 10:15) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Eliminate tariffs on solar would be a good start. So would subsidizing it. BVIEC could also look into optimizing its efficiency as a way of lowering costs. Upgrading the grid, and modernizing generation equipment are also good ideas but will require significant capital investment. This requires long term planning. Where will the funds come from. Is there even an energy policy in the Territory?

    The fact that the govt owes BVIEC some $ 10 million tells you right there the govt is not prepared to move forward.

    . So, same old cheap talk.
  • Solar (12/07/2023, 10:33) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wasn’t there an article recently about how the government was committing to climate change initiatives?
    Solar might be an idea but oh wait….
  • resident (12/07/2023, 11:13) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    I don't mind paying if I was getting electricity all the time these power outages are disgraceful
  • HMMM (12/07/2023, 11:15) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    Let us have solar energy.

    Put solar panels on our school roofs and government buildings. Offload the excess electricity into the grid. That would lower the cost of electricity for all.
  • Manjack (12/07/2023, 13:37) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    In Opposition, elected members are cleared eyed about what is going wrong and what should be done without how to strategies on how to solve the problem(s). In government, though that is any tory. Government cannot just shout it has to address the problem s, 2/7/365. Rarely, do Opposition say what is going right, if anything. That would be perceived as helping the government and we should not say positive about government. For opposition that is almost sacrilegious. BVIEC produces our electric supply through oil, fossil fuel, and the cost to deliver a kilowatt hour of electricity is not cheap and rising. Electricity cost, along with the traditional basket of goods, is causing the escalating, skyrocketing cost of living. The BVI don’t have any black gold, oil, so it has to be imported,etc. Oil is a Commodity so BVIEC has to pay market price paid by the high users. Alternative renewable sources, wind, solar, thermal, etc are promising but they are a work in progress. The territory is not at the point yet where these sources can feed the grid at a level that will significantly bring the cost down for both BVIEC and consumers. Someone can set me straight if I’m out in left field on this. Further, BVIEC cost is not only generating and distributing electricity; it has to also think about capitalization, ie., upgrading and buying new equipment. It has to stay at the tip of the spear to meet its mission and customers needs.

    The Hon Marlon Penn, spend two terms in government with NDP and a half a term with the Unity Government. So he must have some ideas on how to solve this vexing issue, should he not,?? He wanted to be Premier, did he not?? What are his ideas on improving the grid with cost and benefits to consumers? We cannot just shout as loud as we can there is a problem but we must also have solutions. We cannot just identify problems we must also be problem solvers. What are his solutions for easing the cost to consumers in the short-term? Are conservation, reduce duty on more energy efficient appliances, an electricity subsidy for residents at the lower rungs on the economic ladder ( universal basic income initiative), etc on his agenda.
    • NPolitico (12/07/2023, 17:59) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Indeed, the opposition are full of ideas and solutions when in opposition but in government more often than not
      they struggle. Nevertheless, governments are elected because they advocated they can do better than the incumbent government so they have to deliver the goods.,
  • Faithful (12/07/2023, 14:45) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    When I peeped at mine this month, it was $667.00
  • jah (12/07/2023, 15:39) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply

    You marlon know this all the time only now you speaking about it go and rest your *&$$

  • downscote (12/07/2023, 16:32) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    I wonder what is happening to the Anegada solar project. Contact awarded without due diligence and where are we now? Ground was broken and publicised, but what is the state of the project? What about the Paraquita Bay solar project? What about solar contractors in the BVI to install home solar? Good luck with that!!
  • WOW (12/07/2023, 17:25) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hon, Penn I with you i using flashlight and yet the bill still increasing
  • Josiahsbay (12/07/2023, 17:30) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    We need our district councils to start helping ourselves. When are they coming?
  • NOT (14/07/2023, 05:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Only light water food ect soon people will have to do like the cow them


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