Hybrid vehicles are effectively powered by combining a petrol/diesel engine with an electric motor. This type of vehicle, therefore, consumes less fuel and cause fewer carbon emissions than the conventional petrol or diesel-engined vehicle currently driven in the BVI.

Speaking the House of Assembly this week, the Premier said this soon-to-be-implemented policy on imports is one of the incentives that will be given to facilitate the process of the BVI going ‘green’.

He said: “A package of incentives is being worked on which would feature zero tax on the import of clean energy systems such as solar and wind power generation equipment and hybrid vehicles”.

“This will reduce the BVI’s carbon footprint, harness our renewable resources, and save citizens and the government millions of dollars that are presently being spent on imported fossil fuels,” Fahie added.

“Additionally, the potential exists for citizens who generate their own electricity to earn money by selling excess power back to the power grid. We will also explore options for encouraging motorists to switch from the traditional petrol and diesel to liquified petroleum gas which is a lot cheaper and more environmentally friendly,” he further said.

We are serious

The Premier said he has been advised by his team of technocrats that the BVI can be 60 percent green by the year 2030.

While what he described as the “technical details” are being worked out, Fahie said a pilot installation of a solar energy system at the Youth Empowerment Programme (YEP) building in East End will provide valuable information for the establishment of the framework.

“As you can see, your government has set ambitious targets for converting our energy consumption to sustainable renewable energy. There is significant interest from the private sector in this area, and many proposals and partnerships are being considered,” he stated.

The Premier said in the coming year; the government will be embarking on several renewable energy projects that will set this territory on the road to green and sustainable energy production.