Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley encouraged residents to sign up for the Solar Technology and Energy Programme (STEP). Photo: Facebook

(L-R) Chairman of the BVIEC Board Mr Sheldon Scatliffe, BVIEC General Manager Dr Neil M. Smith and one of the first STEP recipients Mr Wade Tobin at the contract signing ceremony on February 6, 2025. Photo: Facebook

21 residents signed contracts as the first recipients under the STEP initiative. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands

Twenty-one residents who were approved for STEP signed their contracts with the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) on Thursday, February 6, 2025. 

During the contract signing ceremony, Premier Wheatley said, “With initiatives like this, those types of ambitious targets will be within reach.”

Stepping into the future with STEP- Premier Wheatley 

Dr Wheatley said that STEP finally becoming a reality is exciting for him. 

“We have to step into the future; we have to step into a more sustainable future, and that is what we [will] do with this STEP programme,” he said. 

The Ministry of Finance and the entire government recognises the volatility of fuel prices, he continued, “You have the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. You have the conflict between Israel and Gaza…with all of these types of conflicts that we have, you can anticipate that the price of fuel would not be stable.”

The Premier said STEP will help the Virgin Islands (VI) better predict the price of energy “because we are accessing the power of the sun, which is in plentiful supply here in the Virgin Islands”. 

Invest in solar technology- Premier Wheatley

Dr Wheatley urged all Virgin Islanders to sign up for STEP and realise the benefits of the power of the sun. 

“We get a lot of complaints about the cost of electricity. We can take matters into our own hands by investing in solar technology, investing in the STEP program, and we can have more disposable income to take care of our families,” he encouraged. 

Premier Wheatley also congratulated the 21 persons who will be the first recipients of solar systems under STEP. 

“I know that you will be pleased with the benefits of the programme, especially with the reduced cost of electricity,” he said.