Honourable Vanterpool was addressing a National Energy Strategy meeting facilitated by the Ministry of Communications and Works with industry leaders, stakeholders, private vendors and other government agencies. The meeting was held to continue discussions and receive ideas on the renewable energy programme for the new year.

Minister Vanterpool explained that in the past two decades, renewable energy was thought to be an expensive process to start but that it has since become affordable and even more so essential.

“Thankfully it is moving in a direction where it can be more affordable and then we can take advantage of it; it is a capital investment,” he said.

The minister added, “At the end of the day we are happy that we can begin to look at [renewable energy] in a very direct way.The electricity corporation along with the ministry has been doing a number of things in the last several years and we have an objective that we have been working towards.”

He said the objective is from a ten year plan that began in 2013 which outlines how the Territory will move forward with renewable energy. As part of the plan, the Ministry of Communications and Works has been working with community groups to ensure that strategies for renewable energy are feasible to all stakeholders and parties involved.

Officials from the ministry also met with stakeholders in 2016 to discuss an energy policy for the Territory which was passed in the House of Assembly on October 13, 2016.

Honourable Vanterpool stressed that the ministry is taking this opportunity to rebuild in a greener and resilient way.

In the interim, the public is advised to conserve energy by following these tips:

1.         Turn off lights and equipment when not in use;

2.         Use the sunlight to brighten up a room whenever possible;

3.         Replace old water heaters with energy efficient solar water heating system and;

4.         Replace light bulbs with LED lights throughout homes and offices.

The Ministry of Communications and Works suggests that by using these simple tips, the community will not only help to reduce the Territory’s carbon footprint, but they will also see a decrease in energy consumption and in turn lower electricity bills.

NOTES

• The Government of the Virgin Islands developed a10-year Energy Vision (Renewable Energy Programme),with the following targets:

• By 2023, 30% of theTerritory’senergyneeds, are to be met by renewablemeans;

• By 2021, we will decrease fossilfuelimportsby20%;

• By 2021, we will reduce fossil fuel inputs to electricity by 80% on Anegada.

• Courses in Renewable Energy commenced at the H. LavityStoutt Community College in the summer of 2014.

• In May 2015, the British Virgin Islands Electricity Corporation (Amendment) Act 2015 was passed amending the 1979 ordinance allowing provision for the development and management of renewable energy. This means, private companies and individuals, with the approval of the Ministry of Communications and Works and the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC), can produce energy through renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, hydro etc.

• In April 2016, a Renewable Energy education campaign was launched to educate students on the importance of renewable energy as well as reducing, reusing and recycling items towards a greener, cleaner environment.

• The Energy Policy is a guideline on how the Territory of the Virgin Islands should execute its alternative energy initiatives and was passed in the House of Assembly on October 13, 2016. The policy also precedes the implementation of the Renewable Energy Programme which is the overarching action plan.http://www.bvi.gov.vg/content/energy-policy-virgin-islands

• Following a solar street lighting pilot programme, 50 solar street lights were purchased in 2016 and are being installed in select areas.