Friday, September 19, 2014 -The Government of the Virgin Islands is gearing up to host two major fora in the Territory next week namely, the Caribbean Electric Utility Service Corporation (CARILEC) Fourth Regulatory Forum and a Forum on Renewable Energy from September 22 to 24.
The fora, held under the theme: ‘From grid lock to grid tied”, are spearheaded by the British Virgin Islands Electricity Corporation in conjunction with the Caribbean Electric Utility Service Corporation (CARILEC) and sponsored by the World Bank and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
According to General Manager at the BVI Electricity Corporation Mr. Leroy Abraham, the BVI Electricity Corporation is pleased to be the host utility for the conference.
“We trust that through these forums, the public will not only be educated on the topic of renewable energy, but also come to learn about the progress which BVIEC has and is making in this area amongst others,” Mr. Abraham said.
He further explained that the Electricity Corporation remains committed and is working diligently to uncover the fabulous new opportunities which renewable energy bring in the diversification of the production of energy within the Territory.
Five countries will be represented at the conference. Ministers of government namely Honourable Evan Gumbs Minister of Infrastructure, Communications, Utilities and Housing of Anguilla, Honourable Rayburn Blackmore, Minister of Public Works, Energy and Ports of Dominica, and Honourable Alvin Da Breo Minister responsible for ICT in Grenada will attend the conference. Communications Consultant Mr. Allan Brooks of Jamaica and Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Government Services in Turks and Caicos Mr. Russell C. Cox will also attend the meetings.
The fora are designed to discuss issues related to regulation of the electricity industry as there has been increasing focus on introducing renewable energy generation sources, independent suppliers, among other changes in the Caribbean electricity market.
Addresses will be delivered by His Excellency the Governor Mr. John S. Duncan, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Honourable D. Orlando Smith, Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Dr. Honourable Kedrick Pickering, Minister for Communications and Works, Honourable Mark Vanterpool, and General Manager of the BVI Electricity Corporation Mr. Leroy Abraham.
CARILEC’s Executive Director, Mrs. Allison Jean will also deliver remarks along with policy-makers from across the region, electricity experts and officials of the World Bank, which is sponsoring the event.
Participants will look at the challenges and opportunities of introducing Regulations to Enable Renewables Integration; How Caribbean Countries can make the transition to regulated Electricity Markets; Renewable Energy Support Mechanisms and Pricing; and business opportunities for Caribbean Utilities in a market with High Renewable Energy Penetration.
CARILEC is an association of electric utilities. It was founded in 1989 and is currently celebrating its 25th anniversary this year within the Caribbean region, from Jamaica to Trinidad and Belize on the mainland of South America; Bahamas and Bermuda are also members.
The BVI Electricity Corporation has the distinction of being one of the founding members of this utilities’ association, under the leadership of former General Manager Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton.
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