Gov’t to partner with BVIEC to train youths in installation of renewable energy systems

Government will be partnering with the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) to train several young adults across the territory on the installation of green energy systems.

Premier Andrew Fahie said training will be conducted in January 2020.

“We do not want to enter new technology before we train our people on how to be versed in installations and how to operate these systems,” the Premier stated.

Premier Fahie further expressed the need for the territory to go ‘green’ and said several measures will be put in place to ensure the progression of the initiative.

“We cannot just talk about getting a cleaner environment, saving money and energy. We must also do what we say and that has to be done through legislation and through the budget process,” he said.

YEP building to pave way for rest of BVI

This news comes as the Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) building underwent its first official grid-tied renewable energy inspection since a solar system was installed to the structure.

The inspection of the YEP building was geared towards paving the path for proper permitting and inspection guidelines of renewable energy in the BVI.

Dana Miller who represented local renewable energy company aTec said the system has a “battery backup which allows it to function in an off-grid mode or a battery backup mode or a grid-tie mode”. 

“It has, [therefore], been functioning to create reliable backup power for YEP,” Miller explained.

To benefit YEP in many ways

Meanwhile, YEP representative Kimon Lewis said that by using renewable energy, their electricity bill will be now be reduced. He further said the monies saved from this project can now be channelled into funding other programmes to further educate the youths.

“We also want to show youths that alternate energy is coming and that they can learn from it … We have other projects alongside this that would give them that type of information,” Lewis stated.