ROADTOWN Tortola BVI, July 10th, 2012 – Over one hundred BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) customers participated in an Energy Conservation Challenge which yielded nine winners overall but huge savings for all.
Local businesses, residents and employees were awarded for conserving the highest percentages of energy over a one month period in their respective categories.
The competition was divided into three categories; Commercial, Residential and Employees of the Corporation.
For the Commercial category, third place was awarded to Rite Breeze East End with a 26.23 percent reduction rate; second place went to ZCCR 94.1 FM with a rate of 30.6 percent, and first prize went to the BVI Diabetes
Association with a 41 percent energy reduction rate. Second and third place winners in this category received reusable shopping bags and energy efficient light bulbs. The first place winner also received an iPad.
The winners for the BVIEC’s Employees category were; Stacey Baird, at third place with a rate of 3.07 percent reduction, Hector Cruz Jr., second place with a rate of 9.3 percent and first place was Harriette McIntosh with a rate of 11.34 percent.
The winners for the Residential category were; Deborah Smith-Harrigan, third place, with a 48.02 percent reduction rate, Delma Maduro of Allamanda Estate, second place, with a rate of 54.95 percent and first place was Joycelyn Williams with a rate of 74.83 percent.
Because of her overwhelming reduction rate, Ms. Joycelyn Williams was asked to share some of her energy conservation practices, “I like electricity! When I’m cooking I cook with electricity. I wash twice a week and iron twice a week. I said, ‘No, I have to do this every two weeks.’ Instead of four light bulbs, I just put two. The change seemed difficult but I said I can do it for this purpose: to save energy!”
General Manager, Mr. Leroy Abraham reiterated, “One thing that we keep reinforcing is that energy conservation or energy consciousness requires lifestyle changes. A lot of the energy that we use we do not need to utilize and at BVIEC there is a limited amount of power that we can produce while some of us believe that there is a limitless amount of energy to be consumed. BVIEC will never be able to produce a limitless amount of power and so we need to change our behaviour.”
Deputy General Manager, Mr. Henry Creque added, “It is a process and oftentimes it goes very slowly. Usually persons need to change customs and habits they have been practicing for years in order to see substantial savings.”
The Energy Conservation Challenge has been a part of a series of “Green” events starting with Energy Conservation Day, held on Friday, June 8. The purpose of the Energy Conservation Challenge is to encourage the preservation of energy at work and home according to Mr. Creque.
The BVIEC also has informational material to provide guidance to achieve optimum energy efficiency. Mr. Abraham added that the BVIEC has auditing services available for the public and one can sign-up to get personal or business energy consumption rates.
Mr. Abraham ended the press conference and award ceremony for the winners by encouraging them to continue conserving. “Keep at it. Spread the word. There are meaningful benefits to energy conservation,” he concluded.
The BVI Electricity Corporation is committed to providing 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.
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