Anegada solar project faces roadblocks overall cost inflates
With the territory heavily focused on renewable energy to combat the climbing oil, gas, and electricity prices, Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley recently said there have been some roadblocks over the completion of the Anegada Microgrid Project.
The project, done through a signed agreement with the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) and the US-based solar energy company Power52, was expected to be completed sometime in November of this year. This was based on the information given by Chief Executive Officer of Power52, Robert Wallace Jr at the contract signing last November.
However, in a recent update, the Premier said inflation and the rising cost of goods and services caused some hindrance to the progress of the project.
“I don’t have a proper update except to say it is still going to happen. I know that they were impacted by inflation and the cost of the project would have gone up. There seemed to be some issues that they were trying to resolve,” Dr Wheatley said.
“I would have to check with the RDA (Recovery and Development Agency) and with Power52 to see if those issues have been resolved so that they can move forward. But it is still going to happen. There have been delays but I will perhaps ask the Minster for the Environment, which is Honourable Turnbull to give an update,” the Premier added.
The Microgrid Project was expected to be the first solar and battery storage sustainable island in the world.
Back in 2020, the US-based solar energy company was awarded a contract of over $4.5 million to complete the project. At the time, it was said to be substantially lower than most of the bidders that submitted a proposal to the government.
However, in a recent update, the Premier said inflation and the rising cost of goods and services caused some hindrance to the progress of the project.
“I don’t have a proper update except to say it is still going to happen. I know that they were impacted by inflation and the cost of the project would have gone up. There seemed to be some issues that they were trying to resolve,” Dr Wheatley said.
“I would have to check with the RDA (Recovery and Development Agency) and with Power52 to see if those issues have been resolved so that they can move forward. But it is still going to happen. There have been delays but I will perhaps ask the Minster for the Environment, which is Honourable Turnbull to give an update,” the Premier added.
The Microgrid Project was expected to be the first solar and battery storage sustainable island in the world.
Back in 2020, the US-based solar energy company was awarded a contract of over $4.5 million to complete the project. At the time, it was said to be substantially lower than most of the bidders that submitted a proposal to the government.
