….A pleasant Good Morning to you all.

Today we gather on the beautiful island of Anegada, the land of my ancestors, to celebrate a truly historic milestone for our Territory and for the wider Caribbean. 

It’s transformation time in District 9. My administration is serious about transformation and developing in a sustainable way. We are committed to building a cleaner and greener future that will stand as a shining example of what a Small Island Developing State can achieve when we are grounded in the right principles and committed to action.

The commissioning of the Anegada Hybrid Renewable Energy and Battery Energy Storage System marks a bold step forward in achieving these objectives. We have a strong team that is delivering this administration's mandate: Honorable. Kye Rymer, PS Elvia Smith-Maduro, the B VI Electricity Corporation team, let me congratulate you. You have brought tangible benefits to the people of Anegada: more reliable electricity supply, reduced power outages and fluctuations. More reliability means more productivity, economically, educationally and socially. 

Internationally, it sends the message that we, who are on the frontlines of climate change, will lead by example, by harnessing the power of the sun to lower our carbon footprint, ensuring that our energy use contributes less to global emissions and more to the sustainability of our islands. 

This project will attract visitors who will be impressed by our stewardship of God's environmental gifts. The Virgin Islands are blessed with wondrous natural resources: our pristine beaches, vibrant marine life and delicate coral reefs. These treasures are not only the foundation of our tourism economy, but also a part of our identity as Virgin Islanders. By embracing renewable energy, we are protecting these gifts for generations to come. 

My government wants you to join us on this journey. Sign up for the Solar Technology Energy Programme, affectionately known as STEP, and step into a sustainable future. 

I look forward to more solar farms on Tortola and perhaps even Virgin Gorda. I look forward to wind energy on Jost Van Dyke.

I'm grateful for the presence of Edward Childs of The Climate Change Trust Fund. I commend the BVIEC’s renewable energy programme to you as worthy of grant funding, along with other government projects building climate resilience. 

Again, I extend sincere thanks to the Ministry the BVI Electricity Corporation, contractor Power52 Clean Energy Access LLC and all our partners who worked tirelessly to bring this vision to life. Your dedication and expertise have delivered not just infrastructure but hope and progress for our people.

As we cut this ribbon today, let it symbolise more than the opening of a facility. Let it represent the opening of a new chapter, one where the Virgin Islands shines as a beacon of renewable energy, environmental protection and sustainable growth. 

Thank you, and may God bless this beautiful island of Anegada, and may God bless these beautiful Virgin Islands. 

Photo Credit: Mr Franklyn Skerritt

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