The government of the Virgin Islands is in active discussions with the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) and other relative stakeholders to decide what measures can be taken to ease the high electricity bills being faced by residents.
Premier Dr. the Honourable Natalio Wheatley who is also the minister responsible for electricity made the disclosure in response to questions posed by the media recently.
He said while discussions are being had on the subject to provide a sustainable solution to all parties, one certain reality is that residents will have to endure the fluctuating cost of fuel.
“We’re having discussions right now about what can specifically be done about electricity and seeking to lower the cost, but persons must understand that the cost is directly related to the high cost of diesel, fuel, of petroleum, and of course, you know the Electricity Corporation will have to pass that on to Consumers,” Premier Wheatley stated.
He added, “Even if we collect nothing at all, from, in terms of duty and things like that, the consumers will still feel the pinch because prices are high and we’re importing it. So we are exploring what can be done within the very tight fiscal space that we have. We’re not quite ready to make any announcements as yet.”
Long term plan is renewable energy
In the meantime, Premier Wheatley said his government’s long-term plan is to focus on renewable energy and initiatives which can contribute as alternative sources to fuel-based energy.
He said, “We have to explore what we can do in terms of alternative energy. Of course, we have the access to the sun, the wind, and the water. We can’t really control what’s happening with the cost of fuel but we can control how we utilise the energy from the sun and other alternative sources.”
“In addition to whatever relief we are exploring given as it pertains to electricity, we are also exploring how we can stimulate persons and encourage them to be able to have solar panels on their roofs and how we can put them on government buildings. We’ve put solar panels on a number of government buildings either through partnerships with other stakeholders or through government directly. We want to continue that,” he further explained.
Numerous projects in the works
The leader of government business also touched on a number of existing initiatives that fall in line with his administration’s renewable energy goal.
“We remind persons, we have the solar project in Anegada that will be getting off of the ground soon and we have other things we’ve done like brought in electric cars duty-free and other mechanisms for alternative energy can come in duty-free. So, we’re making some efforts but I believe there is more that can be done and we’re having discussions right now between the Minister of Communications and Works, Minister of Natural Resources and Labor, myself, Electricity Department and other entities, [on] how we can go more in the area of alternative energy,” Premier Wheatley stated.