Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Solar microgrid to be developed on VG - Leroy A. E. Abraham

- said ground-breaking for microgrid @ Paraquita Bay expected late 2023
General Manager of BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) Mr Leroy A. E. Abraham has said a solar microgrid will be developed in Virgin Gorda in the very near future and that ground is expected to be broken for the development of a microgrid at Paraquita Bay late 2023. Photo: VINO
Designed to create a more resilient electricity system and reduce dependency on diesel for electricity, the $600,000 microgrid system at Paraquita Bay will comprise a 3 MW utility-scale solar system, undergrounding, battery energy storage and a new substation. Photo: GoogleEarth
Designed to create a more resilient electricity system and reduce dependency on diesel for electricity, the $600,000 microgrid system at Paraquita Bay will comprise a 3 MW utility-scale solar system, undergrounding, battery energy storage and a new substation. Photo: GoogleEarth
THE SETTLEMENT, Tortola, VI- As the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) continues with its mandate to spearhead the Territory’s transition to Green Energy sources, it has been announced that a solar microgrid will be developed in Virgin Gorda in the very near future and that ground is expected to be broken for the development of a microgrid at Paraquita Bay late 2023.

This announcement was made by General Manager of BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) Mr Leroy A. E. Abraham at the ground-breaking ceremony for the Anegada Hybrid Renewable Energy and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Project.

The microgrid on Anegada is expected to be commissioned by November 2022. According to Mr Abraham, other than the fact that the BVIEC subsidises operations to provide electricity to the residents on Anegada, the island is not only one of the most ecologically and environmentally pristine islands “but as God would have it, it also possesses the topography to support the construction of a large-scale solar ray.”

He noted; however, that a microgrid will be developed on Virgin Gorda and that ground will be broken for the microgrid at Paraquita Bay.

‘Other major islands not forgotten’

“Albeit Anegada will have the first large-scale micro-grid in the BVI, rest assured we haven’t forgotten the other major islands.”

Mr Abraham said through the assistance of a technical assistance grant from the Canadian Support to the Energy Sector in the Caribbean Fund, BVIEC is well advanced in its development of a resilient PV solar and battery energy storage project in Paraquita Bay on Tortola.

He then turned to Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) and Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) to let them know that the ball was in their court.

“All the industry partners require and are waiting for at this time is the execution of the land lease,” Mr Abraham said, adding “And I can assure you, by this time next year, we will be using shovels to break ground for the commencement of that project.”

Designed to create a more resilient electricity system and reduce dependency on diesel for electricity, the $600,000 microgrid system at Paraquita Bay will comprise a 3 MW utility-scale solar system, undergrounding, battery energy storage and a new substation.

Back in October 2022, Hon Rymer had said the microgrid will be used to supply the Seven Seas and Bar Bay water plants and H. Lavity Stoutt Community College and improve the resilience of the territory’s power grid, which was knocked out for months by the storms of 2017.

Microgrid for VG

Meanwhile, the BVIEC General Manager, Mr Abraham, said BVIEC was recently awarded another technical assistance grant from ReSEMBid, which is being implemented by Expertise France, to support its efforts in developing a micro grid on the island of Virgin Gorda.

“And when I get back at the office tomorrow [today] that is my first task, to execute the grant documents, so once again Premier, Deputy Premier, the ball is in your court.”

A location for the microgrid on Virgin Gorda was not disclosed.

The Virgin Islands has set itself a goal of 30% renewable energy by 2023.

5 Responses to “Solar microgrid to be developed on VG - Leroy A. E. Abraham”

  • ... (30/12/2022, 15:31) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    We going miss Leroy
  • Speak Truth (30/12/2022, 15:48) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    This now ain't making sense, something ain't adding up. So, You are saying the grid in Anegada won't and can't supply Virgin Gorda.. U all need to come clean. Stop playing games and taking us for fools.. Explain to us why We have one in Anegada and one in Virgin Gorda...#waiting.
    • "speak truth" (01/01/2023, 00:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Anegada produces its own power, doesn't get anything from VG there is no under water cable so the power Anegada produces will power only Anegada , simple really...
  • WOW (30/12/2022, 18:34) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Boss your employees are unhappy. Raise overdue.
  • Cmon (30/12/2022, 19:37) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    And yet the BVIEC blocks all private investment into solar systems. Why?? These projects are failures in the making and yet they do not allow local industry.


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.