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No one believes BVIEC is 'subsidising' electricity cost– Skelton-Cline

-after BVIEC GM says BVIEC subsidizes 81.5c on every gallon of electricity cost
Talk show host and clergyman Claude O. Skelton-Cline said although the BVIEC says that the cost of electricity is being subsidized in the VI as claimed by the Government and the corporation, as the bill remains the highest of local bills in the VI. Photo: VINO/File
From left: Former legislator Kedrick D. Pickering, BVIEC GM Dr Neil M. Smith, and Claude O. Skelton-Cline on the show, Eye on the Future of the Nation, on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. Photo: Facebook
From left: Former legislator Kedrick D. Pickering, BVIEC GM Dr Neil M. Smith, and Claude O. Skelton-Cline on the show, Eye on the Future of the Nation, on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. Photo: Facebook
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI – Talk show host and clergyman Claude O. Skelton-Cline said although the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) is subsidising electricity in the VI, as claimed by the Government and the corporation, not many believe that is so due to the large amounts still being made to pay by consumers.

BVIEC General Manager Dr Neil M. Smith, speaking on the Tuesday, June 18, 2024, edition of the radio show 'Eye on the Future of the Nation', said the cost of fuel remains a big factor in the cost of electricity, with some 50% of the bill reflecting the cost of fuel in the VI.

“Whenever the cost of fuel goes up, even if you consume the same amount of electricity, [the bill] goes up,” Dr Smith said.

He added that over time, the cost of electricity has gone up at the same rate as the cost of fuel. "so your fuel bill is actually tracking the inflation rate of diesel fuel in this country,” he added.

Mr Smith said; however, the bill is being subsidised by BVIEC with the policy direction coming from the government.

Consumers not paying the full fuel cost - Mr Smtih 

“On every gallon of fuel that is consumed… BVIEC subsides 81.5 cents. So if the fuel cost to BVIEC is $3 per gallon, we absorb 81 cents and the other… is transferred to the consumer,” he said.

Co-host Claude O Skelton-Cline said; however, that nobody believes that the cost of fuel is being subsidised due to the high cost of electricity.

According to Mr Smith, Virgin Islanders don’t read enough to know that the regulations have been set since the 70s, which require BVIEC to absorb a percentage of the cost of fuel to generate electricity.

“They read social media, they read the pedestrian stuff… but the serious matters… those are the things that we tend to miss,” he said while adding that the 81 cents per unit remains an opportunity cost to the corporation.

11 Responses to “No one believes BVIEC is 'subsidising' electricity cost– Skelton-Cline”

  • Wow. Wow. (21/06/2024, 08:43) Like (21) Dislike (3) Reply
    How can they have a known NDP in charge of such critical dept under a VIP Govt. He try to make the Govt look bad. There are companies that owes a lot that they cannot touch. I kept saying more than 10 yrs Govt needs a health Czar. The board has not been doing a good job...This should never happen. The world laughing at us. This is the definition of third world.
  • All rounder (21/06/2024, 09:05) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply

    Because he Mr Sca**er was not given a contract to look at the books of BVIEC. why are you try to discredit the company. Mr Smith is telling the truth. When fuel price goes up on the market your light bill goes up and down when it comes down. The price the company receives from the customer ls is a set price from since 1973 on the Dollars. Plus you have to stay relevant because you’re time be up a long time ago since the CIO exposed you.

  • YEAH RITE (21/06/2024, 09:46) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    ONE MUST KNOW THE OTHER , HOW CAN THINK FAKE STILL BE POSTING HIMSELF ON THE PULPIT AFTER HE DONE BETRAY HIMSELF AS AN IMPOSTER ○¿○ ❓️ TRUMP AINT GOT NOTHING ON THIS HOLY FELLOW ( AKA ) SWEET TALKING PAST-AH - CON-SULTANT - PSY- TRICK
    AND MOON - WALKING - PLAYER
  • AI (21/06/2024, 09:59) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Where is our minister Vincent on this?
  • Clean Energy (21/06/2024, 10:11) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Please make the alternative energy for the benefit of the masses not the 1%
  • FACIAL EXPRESSIONS (21/06/2024, 10:13) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    IS SAYING )> PIK -O ) SO YOU TELLING ME IT WAS JUSTIFIABLE ? ( NIEL ) YES , THATS JUST THE WAY IT IS A D PRINCE CHARMING - CSC ) RUN THAT BY ME ONE MORE TIME , AM AH TRYING TO GET IT ANALYZED ????
    .
  • Tutu Fluts (21/06/2024, 10:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The alternative is already a pilot plan for a sector on the island to have green energy, we have that privilege, the consumer with soft credit is provided with the purchase of panels, batteries and the inverter. Have basic consumption, whoever needs it more than pays for his taste
  • bvibuzz (21/06/2024, 10:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    cut them yes if they can't run their business then cut them
  • jack@$$ (21/06/2024, 13:11) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    There is a serious challenge here for electric power b/c we have grown and keep growing so our needs keep increasing. We need another power plant to accommodate the supply vs demand. The cost of diesel fuel charges have definitely been dynamic and the power supply has to remain within a range of consistency so that would mean there is some subsidizing that has to occur. We need another power source, hopefully a green one, and hopefully a private sector one also. Once there is a monopoly there will be distrust and disgruntlement. Is it worth it for a private company to invest in providing electric power? It may be esp. if the government is also willing to purchase from them when the need arises. There is so much to fix and maintain in these small islands, but we are too dependent on outside industry, we need to find something to offset the huge overheads we have to pay.
  • lk (21/06/2024, 13:15) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Way this one come from now again
  • .... (21/06/2024, 14:57) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    you just need to lay low sir, you should not be in public eyes!


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