50% reduction coming for electricity bills
Utilities Minister Kye Rymer has announced a groundbreaking initiative that promises to cut electricity bills by half for residents.
The effort is part of a broader strategy by the government to tackle the high cost of living and promote sustainable energy solutions within the Virgin Islands.
According to Minister Rymer, the high energy costs in the territory have been largely influenced by external factors such as the cost of fuel and shipping, which global events like wars have exacerbated. In addressing these challenges, the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) has taken significant steps to reduce the per unit price of electricity for their customers.
A key component of the initiative is the Solar Technology Energy Programme (STEP), designed to enable residential customers to generate their electricity using solar power. The programme includes installing grid-tie systems, which not only allow electricity production from solar energy but may also provide financial credits to participating customers.
The BVIEC will cover all upfront costs for the equipment and installation, removing financial barriers for residents. This strategy decreases dependency on imported fuel and contributes to reduced electricity generation costs. Savings from these lower costs will initially go towards recouping the setup expenses. Once these are paid, the savings will be passed on to the customers, manifesting as lower electricity bills or credits.
To further support this initiative, the BVIEC said it would post a survey on its website, inviting customers to register their interest. The corporation aims to gauge the demand for the programme, ensuring the procurement of adequate system components at the lowest cost due to its duty-free importer status.
Minister Rymer emphasised the importance of the programme not only for cost reduction but also for its potential to foster local expertise in solar system installation.
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Fake News!
This is pure foolishness and as usual the BVI people will fall for it.
Oh yeah!
AND supplying cruise ships! Gimme a break!
This real!?
I swear BVIEC was planning to switch to solar with wind turbans and panels or something but yall just installing panel for us to use?
why not make bviec primary source of power solar and use the fuel as back up for shortcoming or rainy weather
sounds good except not most of us who need the break don’t own a house so the landlord will have to decide if they will take the panels or not.
Knowing Landlord… they might even charge a fee or increase rent for that.
and how will bviec profit from their customers using solar? knowing that this country only feeds the rich i find it a little skeptical but if it works out that will be great!
Today is my day off and I am going to clean my apartment and listen to some good JUGO AND PASCAL MUSIC.I’m not with the BS today, don’t want to hear it.
IT LOOK LIKE WHAT EVER GARBAGE HE INLAWS A… TELL HIM SAY HE DOES POOR FELLA
You have given me a good Kiki cackle today. Man o Man, [they] wears the pants with suspenders and he wears the skirt and row boat shoes in that family. [they] in law runs the show on the dow low.
and the cow jumped over the mmon !! we were not born yesterday
… and yet Government still charge 20% import duty on anything solar ??
When cock get teeth!
Yuh loy!
Premier is happy he is not getting roasted and sitting in the hot seat today. Don’t worry, he will be right back getting roasted and sitting in the hot seat in a few days.
I know where I live, our government don’t try to help us just so…My first question is who getting rich off of this? Where BVIEC getting this solar equipment to give out for free?
A promise is a comfort to a fool.
If residents had been allowed to generate their own energy 20 years ago we’d be well on our way to alternative energy, now the government is going to pay for it? First step is being able to conduct live wire maintenance (solar and customers feeding the grid can’t be switched off), this doesnt happen at the moment. Remove the duty on solar imports, have BVIEC look to generate partial power via AE, then look at a wider grid system. This smacks of his cousin or 3 wanting free solar panels.
Make it happen quick as the residents don’t seem like they believe you. Honestly move quickly. I miss the days of a swift bVI government or even an effective one
Just give us more money so we can cope. Lorna Playing games with the living Wage. Ronnie idea and or suggestion is a good one, Just increase the tax exemption for the low income bracket..Low income means, those making less than $2,000.00 a month.
The government would be better served using the funds to turn Great Thatch into a wind and solar farm that would power the entire territory. There are companies that would both build and finance it over 25 years and probably produce even more than 50% savings from day one.
Stop all the BS and MOVE the tax exemption to $15000.00 , then all will benifit. This solar idea cannot work for people living in apartments.Today you live here and tomorrow you have to move out because the land lord raise his rent or they want the place back. Can they take the solar pannel with them?
U jus want 2 get ur big stinking apt. HOUSE ELECTRICITY BILL DROP….U ISA N**TWIT, When whoever say Jump u does ask how high….lol
Seems like they’re spending our money and time devising a plan that enables them to pay for their cronies to get solar panels installed using our money again for the installation and purchase. This is BEYOND ridiculous.
Mr. Kye, I think your focus should be on the Cruise ships that you are hosting. It seems as though people are exiting ship when they dock in the BVI and never return to the ship. How come they are not doing this at other port of calls.
At least he is trying to address the issue of high electric bills rather than ignoring it.
If there is one criticism I would have is that I wish he was more general in his prediction on costs savings.
By stating 50% reduction on electric bills, if God forbids he falls short, his political adversaries will always remember that 50% promise.
Im not a politician, but if I were, I would never make such a concrete statement, because life is unpredictable.
Things don’t often go as planned, and you always have to account for the un-expected. An approximate range of savings would have been better imo.
Nevertheless, kudos to the Minister for listening to the cries of the people, and coming up with a plan to address the high electricity cost we are all facing.
We, I got to start enjoying life to the fullest regardless of how it is, what I have or don’t have. Life is to unpredictable to be worrying about material things earned or wanted, but won’t come easily. No, start enjoying everything in the here and now. Tomorrow may bring permanent changes we and I were not expecting.
2000 to present is a prime example of that. Millions of lives have been permanently changed, either through sudden death, sudden never before experienced illnesses, such as clots, cancers, nerve damage and more.
Many will never ever get to go on their retirement dreams. Millions of people are now living in the sick and miserable index denominator and Pfizer and none of them can be sued by the average.
I am so shocked to know the disease; the vac or both took children I taught, away. Just not right. Now, from Boston to St. Thomas to VG, fewer will not be at my send off.
So, we must begin to say, FI!, enjoy life, stop worrying about the puritan and religious zealots and enjoy life to the max, cause life don’t, like many people, don’t give a F++K about you for real.
Time to adopt a different mind set after surviving covid, the lock down, the ensuing depressive states of mind and the experimental killer.
People talk and talk and stigmatize, but where were they ever when people needed emotional and psychological support, no where with their fingers stuck up their asses while in heir closets getting drunk.
So, get out and live your life to the fullest everyday. Because there is no guarantee for tomorrow or longevity anymore. So eat, drink, sleep, screw a lot and long, wake up and do every thing all over again.
Excuse all of the grammatical nuances. This is a down to earth message-requiring context not correctness of language.
“screw a lot and long”
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Thanks for that reminder. I knew there was something missing in my life. I could not put my hand on it. Now I know. 🙂
All jokes aside, I get your main message. Live your life to the fullest. Could not agree more. Only thing I would add is while living it fully do so responsibly.
Don’t want to be doing anything that shortens your ability to living your fullest life.
gimmicks not fooling anyone
This will probably just be getting off the ground in 2027, if so soon.
While the initiative outlined in the news article offers several benefits, there are also potential cons or challenges to consider:
Environmental Concerns: While solar energy is generally considered clean and renewable, the production and disposal of solar panels can have environmental impacts. Issues such as the manufacturing process, use of rare earth minerals, and end-of-life disposal need to be managed properly to mitigate any negative environmental consequences.
Technical Challenges: Solar technology may face technical challenges such as intermittency (inconsistent generation due to weather conditions) and storage limitations. Depending solely on solar power could lead to reliability issues, especially during periods of low sunlight or high energy demand.
Equity and Accessibility: Despite the upfront costs being covered by the BVIEC, there may still be barriers to access for some residents. Factors such as housing type (e.g., renters vs. homeowners), location, and income level could impact participation in the programme, potentially widening existing socioeconomic disparities.
Long-term Financial Implications: While the initiative aims to lower electricity bills in the long run, there may be uncertainties regarding the duration and stability of these savings. Economic factors, changes in energy policies, or unexpected maintenance costs could affect the overall financial viability of the programme over time.
Dependency on Government Support: Relying heavily on government subsidies or initiatives for sustainable energy solutions may not be sustainable in the long term. There could be concerns about the continued availability of funding or political support, which could impact the longevity of the programme.
Potential Grid Challenges: Introducing a large number of solar installations into the grid could pose challenges to grid stability and management. Issues such as voltage fluctuations, grid congestion, and compatibility with existing infrastructure may need to be addressed to ensure the reliable operation of the electricity system.
Skills Gap and Job Displacement: While the initiative aims to foster local expertise in solar system installation, there could be challenges in training and retraining workers to meet the demands of the renewable energy sector. Additionally, there may be concerns about job displacement in traditional energy sectors, particularly if the shift towards solar energy leads to a decline in demand for conventional energy sources.
Housing Infrastructure: Many houses in the BVI may not have been built with solar energy in mind. Some residences might lack suitable roof space for solar panel installation or have structural limitations that make it difficult to support solar installations. Additionally, the absence of space for solar batteries and energy storage could limit the effectiveness of solar power, especially in areas prone to power outages or with higher energy demands.
Diverse Energy Needs: Residential properties in the BVI vary in size and usage, with some households requiring more power than others due to factors such as the number of occupants, appliances, or rental units within the property. Tailoring solar solutions to meet these diverse energy needs may pose challenges in terms of system design and affordability.
Vulnerability to Natural Disasters: The BVI is located in a hurricane-prone region, and extreme weather events can cause significant damage to solar infrastructure, leading to costly repairs and disruptions in electricity generation. Ensuring the resilience of solar installations against hurricanes and other natural disasters is crucial for their long-term viability.
Global Environmental Factors: Solar energy systems can be affected by global phenomena such as solar radiation management (SRM) techniques, which may impact the amount of sunlight reaching solar panels and thus their energy generation capacity. Adapting to these environmental changes could pose challenges for maintaining the reliability and efficiency of solar power systems.
Demographic Considerations: The demographic composition of the BVI population can influence the adoption and effectiveness of solar energy initiatives. Factors such as income levels, education, and cultural attitudes towards technology and sustainability may affect residents’ willingness or ability to participate in solar programmes.
Grid Dependency and Cost: While solar energy can reduce dependency on imported fuel and lower electricity bills, residents may still be required to remain tied into the grid and pay a base fee to support the operations of the BVI Electricity Corporation. This ongoing cost could impact the financial feasibility of solar energy solutions for some residents, particularly those living in remote areas.
Environmental Risks: There are concerns about potential chemical leakage from solar panels, which could contaminate cisterns used for drinking and everyday household water needs. Ensuring the safe disposal and maintenance of solar panels is essential to mitigate these environmental risks and protect public health.
Privacy Issues: Installing solar panels may raise privacy concerns for residents, particularly if the panels are installed in close proximity to neighboring properties. Balancing the benefits of solar energy with individual privacy rights and community aesthetics is important in the planning and implementation of solar projects.
Considering these additional factors alongside the proposed benefits of the solar energy initiative can provide a comprehensive understanding of its potential impact and challenges in the BVI context. This is also a push by the UN yet again, the Minister did not come up with this Idea on his own nor his administration.
To little to late may be so ma be not ..the glass is half full the glass is half empty)…we are here wondering what is going-on can someone please .try to define the moment.. with this government and our good senator…mr ..Rhymer
I’m going to try to the best of my ability…
We need a department of energy now.. call it what you may that will govern the dysfunctional department of electricity….to long we have been in this disfunction mood we Need a modern department that is capable of applying (AI)..and every futuristic measurement that is available to man kind …the dynamics that we are applying to govern our selves should be of the highest standard and that goes to individual and government alike…across the wider spectrum that will guarantee results in abundance…..that one day we can lead by example and have people nocking at our door…..for guidance and conversations and more conversations ….the department should be of the highest standards known to the (bvi) and the planet…
If our good leader is not on board with this futurist initiative that he / (bvi)..needs to embrace like yesterday then we would for (iver).. be in a catch up mode and that the rest of our Caribbean nab-ours
Would be for (iver )..be singing our song…
(To be continued)….
(Blessed love)….
To little to late may be so ma be not ..the glass is half full the glass is half empty)…we are here wondering what is going-on can someone please .try to define the moment.. with this government and our good senator…mr ..Rhymer
I’m going to try to the best of my ability…
We need a department of energy now.. call it what you may that will govern the dysfunctional department of electricity….to long we have been in this disfunction mood we Need a modern department that is capable of applying (AI)..and every futuristic measurement that is available to man kind …the dynamics that we are applying to govern our selves should be of the highest standard and that goes to individual and government alike…across the wider spectrum that will guarantee results in abundance…..that one day we can lead by example and have people nocking at our door…..for guidance and conversations and more conversations ….the department should be of the highest standards known to the (bvi) and the planet…
If our good leader is not on this futurist initiative that he / (bvi)..needs to embrace like yesterday then we would for ever be in a catch up mode and that rest of our Caribbean nab-ours
Would be for (iver )..singing our song…
(To be continued)….
(Blessed love)….
What about water always going ?
“Only thing I would add is while living it fully do so responsibly.”
None of that, in the larger uknowns, matters.
Whether one lives clean, dirty, according to the puritanical thought, or avoid things that MAY shorten one’s life, and all will die regardless of.
Why sure. When they can only provide power 50% of the time !
Mr Rymer, you can start with having BVIEC cancel that late fee one must pay if they are a day late in paying their bills. I find that the billing dates are rather inappropriate for those of us who live from pay cheque to pay cheque. That’s a reality.