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An additional $2.5 million will fund electricity subsidies through the end of 2026, Minister of Communications and Works Kye Rymer has announced, following public concern over high electricity bills.
Speaking on the Government’s Virgin Islands Voice programme on September 30, Rymer said the funding had received Cabinet approval and would go before the House of Assembly next week.
“I must say thanks again to the Premier, the Minister of Finance, for making available another $2.5 million dollars… for subsidies that will take us to the end of the year,” he said.
“We will be offering that subsidy for the rest of the year with the monies that… Cabinet has already approved and the SAP that will be taken to the House next week, so that we can finalise it.”
The SAP is the supplementary appropriation package containing the additional funding.
Rymer said the assistance would ease pressure on consumers heading into Christmas, noting that the Government has provided fuel subsidies during the festive period over the past three or four years.
“But we are starting right now,” he said.
The announcement follows Opposition Leader Marlon Penn’s August call for the Government to reinstate the electricity subsidy and maintain it through year-end. Penn said families already struggling with rising living costs could not absorb the higher charges.
“The Government cannot balance its books on the backs of struggling families,” Penn said. He also called for assistance to be applied directly to bills, warning that delayed credits would offer little help to consumers unable to pay.
Residents expressed outrage over August bills after the Government’s earlier three-month, $3 million subsidy ended. BVIEC explained that the final subsidy appeared on June bills, while bills issued in August reflected July consumption, when the Corporation faced record fuel costs.
The Government subsequently announced a credit for August charges, to appear on customers’ next statements, and a subsidy applied directly to September bills.
Rymer said the additional funding would help reduce the stress consumers experienced when receiving their August bills and provide relief through the remaining months of the year.
Speaking on the Government’s Virgin Islands Voice programme on September 30, Rymer said the funding had received Cabinet approval and would go before the House of Assembly next week.
“I must say thanks again to the Premier, the Minister of Finance, for making available another $2.5 million dollars… for subsidies that will take us to the end of the year,” he said.
“We will be offering that subsidy for the rest of the year with the monies that… Cabinet has already approved and the SAP that will be taken to the House next week, so that we can finalise it.”
The SAP is the supplementary appropriation package containing the additional funding.
Rymer said the assistance would ease pressure on consumers heading into Christmas, noting that the Government has provided fuel subsidies during the festive period over the past three or four years.
“But we are starting right now,” he said.
The announcement follows Opposition Leader Marlon Penn’s August call for the Government to reinstate the electricity subsidy and maintain it through year-end. Penn said families already struggling with rising living costs could not absorb the higher charges.
“The Government cannot balance its books on the backs of struggling families,” Penn said. He also called for assistance to be applied directly to bills, warning that delayed credits would offer little help to consumers unable to pay.
Residents expressed outrage over August bills after the Government’s earlier three-month, $3 million subsidy ended. BVIEC explained that the final subsidy appeared on June bills, while bills issued in August reflected July consumption, when the Corporation faced record fuel costs.
The Government subsequently announced a credit for August charges, to appear on customers’ next statements, and a subsidy applied directly to September bills.
Rymer said the additional funding would help reduce the stress consumers experienced when receiving their August bills and provide relief through the remaining months of the year.
© 2026 BVI Platinum News. This article is original BVI Platinum content. Reproduction or republication without written permission is prohibited.
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