Tortola, British Virgin Islands, March 1, 2018—The Ministry of Communications and Works, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour, British Virgin Islands Electricity Corporation, and Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) convened last week to discuss BVI’s Resilient National Energy Transition Strategy (R-NETS).
The group discussed the key priorities for BVI’s future energy system, the scope of the R-NETS, and the implementation timeline.
“Both in our energy programme and the energy policy, renewable energy is a major portion and we are looking forward to this group working to help us to get to that renewable energy goal,” said Honourable Mark Vanterpool, Minister for Communications and Works.
BVI’s renewable energy efforts are part of their Renewable Energy Programme, a 10-year Energy Vision for the Territory that was established in 2013. This includes an Energy Policy, a solar street lighting pilot, and a renewable energy education campaign.
“The R-NETS is a promising first step toward fast-tracking a renewable energy transition in BVI, and RMI has led a similar process in both Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent & the Grenadines,” said Kaitlyn Bunker, Manager for RMI’s Islands Energy Program.
RMI’s Islands Energy Program serves as unbiased, trusted energy advisors for thirteen Caribbean islands. The program brings expertise in long-term energy planning, renewable energy project implementation, and knowledge transfer through the CARILEC Renewable Energy Community. A consortium of donors, including Virgin Unite, funds RMI’s support to BVI and other hurricane-impacted countries.
