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The British Virgin Islands Advance toward a More Resilient, Reliable Energy Future

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.

Media Enquires please contact:

Nick Steel, Senior Associate – Media Relations, T: +44 7830185072, E:nsteel@rmi.org

More information on RMI can be found at www.rmi.org or follow us on Twitter @RockyMtnInst

About British Virgin Islands Electricity Corporation

The main goal and objective of the British Virgin Islands Electricity Corporation is to provide the best possible service to its customers, and to aid in the development of the Territory’s electrical infrastructure by adequately supplying a reliable and continuous electrical supply to the entire British Virgin Islands population at an affordable cost.

About the Ministry of Communications and Works

The Ministry of Communications and Works is dedicated to ensuring the continued development and maintenance of public infrastructure in keeping with international standards so that public utilities are reliable and affordable in support of an enhanced community life for every resident and visitor in the Virgin Islands.

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About Rocky Mountain Institute

Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI)—an independent nonprofit founded in 1982—transforms global energy use to create a clean, prosperous, and secure low-carbon future. It engages businesses, communities, institutions, and entrepreneurs to accelerate the adoption of market-based solutions that cost-effectively shift from fossil fuels to efficiency and renewables. RMI has offices in Basalt and Boulder, Colorado; New York City; Washington, D.C.; and Beijing.

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About the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour endeavours to effectively manage and administer the natural resources of the Territory in a manner that ensures long term sustainability, and to ensure that the supply of labour is commensurate with the level of development in all sectors of the economy under working conditions which preserve the individuals' health, safety, and welfare.