Members of the Opposition: Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3), Hon J, Alvin Christopher (R2) and Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) spoke in support of changes to the British Virgin Islands Electricity Corporation to allow for ordinary citizens to use alternative energy but they called for incentives to encourage persons to make the investment. Photo: VINO/GIS/File

A wind farm - one source of renewable energy. Photo: Wikipedia

Solar panels - another way of harnessing renewable energy. Photo: longwoodgardens.org

He was speaking yesterday March 17, 2015 during the Fourth Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Second House of Assembly as the House debated the British Virgin Islands Electricity Corporation (Amendment) Act, 2015.

The member of the People's Empowerment Party (PEP) also described the bill as one that was long in coming to the House of Assembly. “I think that every Minister that sat in this office over the last 20 years has had discussions on this matter and studied matter with an intent to enforce and make amendments to the Bill so that we can accomplish the benefits from this process of energy,” he said.

Renewable energy expensive

Honourable Christopher pointed out that renewable energy was a very expensive source and it would be challenging to have private citizens involved in this process. “You have to make every last investment and that in itself is a major, major distraction,” he said.

He pointed out that what many countries have done is to give tax incentives to investors who invest in this sector to make it easier for private citizens hoping to make the switch to renewable energy.

“When you talk about generating wind power, one of the things that you might find is that the sight of the things is very ugly…it is very noisy,” he said. He added that the technology for solar power is improving and the size and acreage one needs to cover to produce a certain kilo wattage of electricity is being reduced.

He said that even solar panels could have a very unpleasant appearance and could be very costly.

“In this bill Madam Speaker as we go through I do hope that we can make some adjustments to encourage persons through some tax form in order to encourage them to invest in this area because the cost in this area as I said is extremely high,” he said.

“But I do welcome this Bill. I do welcome the opportunity for licencing and approval from the corporation that persons can now find ways and means of installing an alternative source of energy that can be utilised 24 hours a day,” he said.

He added that, according to the old Act, in order to install a generator at your home or office, permission must be asked and given by the corporation and by the Ministers.

Excessive electricity bills

First District Representative Andrew A. Fahie also spoke in support of the Bill saying that anything that is in the interest of the people would have his full support. “It is in the interest of the people and over time, Madam Speaker, it would allow our people to see a reduction in their bill over time. Madam Speaker, I rise because it is timely…it is a good Bill, it is a timely Bill…the minor concerns that I have – and I hope we could [address] during committee stage – is that we hope that the Government could champion the cause,” he said.

He said too that through the use of alternative energy Government could begin to eliminate their excessive electricity bills monthly. “It would be good, Madam Speaker, for the Government to start with ourselves, with the public structures, that we would start to lead the way, and we could work out some of the kinks along the way,” he said.

Government subsidies required

Speaking on the Bill, Representative for the Third District and Virgin Islands Party Chairman Honourable Julian Fraser RA said that for any renewable energy efforts to be a success, there must be incentives. “And that requires Government subsidies and what have you to encourage people to invest in renewable energy,” he said.

He noted, however, that each time renewable energy seems to want to take off the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) adjust their prices and make the investment in renewable energy seem less attractive.

Hon Fraser asked whether the Government was properly advised on the Bill. “We could come back here six months from now and say oh we were supposed to do some piece of regulation to make it effective,” he said, pointing to the need for the Government to be properly advised on the legislation.