Government will provide relief on electricity bills for August and September following the unusually high charges that sparked widespread concern across the Territory.
Minister of Communications and Works Kye Rymer announced at a press conference today that a credit will be applied to August bills, while the September subsidy will be reflected directly on bills before they are issued.
“I can confirm today that the Government will apply a credit to your current electricity bills, the August bills, and we will also be providing a subsidy to the September bills,” Rymer said.
He explained that the August bills have already been issued and cannot be withdrawn. As a result, the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) will place a credit on customers’ accounts.
“The August bills have already been posted and are currently reaching homes and businesses across the Territory. We cannot pull them back at this stage, so instead, we have asked BVIEC to apply a credit directly to your account,” Rymer stated.
“That credit will be applied and reflected on your next statement, reducing the amount you actually owe. The September subsidy will be applied directly to those bills as they are issued.”
Residents reported substantial increases in their August bills, driven by a sharp rise in fuel costs and the end of the Government’s earlier three-month subsidy which cost government $3 million.
Rymer said the new relief would give the Government time to review the situation and determine whether further financial support is necessary.
“This would give the Government some time to go and review and see where we need additional funds, and we’ll add the additional subsidies where necessary,” he said.
However, Rymer warned that continuously subsidising electricity bills is not financially sustainable and renewed the Government’s push to reduce the Territory’s dependence on imported fuel.
“The long-term answer is to reduce our dependence on imported fuel, and that is why our renewable energy transition is critical,” he said.
The Minister pointed to the Solar Technology Energy Programme (STEP), which assists consumers with transitioning to renewable energy. He said BVIEC is helping to cover installation costs to ensure participants receive the full benefits of the initiative.
According to Rymer, customers with systems already installed through STEP have recorded considerable savings.
“Those persons that we would have already installed a system for would have seen a reduction, even beyond 50 per cent of what their bill used to be,” he said.
“The programme is real, and we encourage persons to get it.”
Rymer added that residents who choose to install renewable energy systems independently can also benefit from duty-free concessions on the necessary equipment.
Minister of Communications and Works Kye Rymer announced at a press conference today that a credit will be applied to August bills, while the September subsidy will be reflected directly on bills before they are issued.
“I can confirm today that the Government will apply a credit to your current electricity bills, the August bills, and we will also be providing a subsidy to the September bills,” Rymer said.
He explained that the August bills have already been issued and cannot be withdrawn. As a result, the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) will place a credit on customers’ accounts.
“The August bills have already been posted and are currently reaching homes and businesses across the Territory. We cannot pull them back at this stage, so instead, we have asked BVIEC to apply a credit directly to your account,” Rymer stated.
“That credit will be applied and reflected on your next statement, reducing the amount you actually owe. The September subsidy will be applied directly to those bills as they are issued.”
Residents reported substantial increases in their August bills, driven by a sharp rise in fuel costs and the end of the Government’s earlier three-month subsidy which cost government $3 million.
Rymer said the new relief would give the Government time to review the situation and determine whether further financial support is necessary.
“This would give the Government some time to go and review and see where we need additional funds, and we’ll add the additional subsidies where necessary,” he said.
However, Rymer warned that continuously subsidising electricity bills is not financially sustainable and renewed the Government’s push to reduce the Territory’s dependence on imported fuel.
“The long-term answer is to reduce our dependence on imported fuel, and that is why our renewable energy transition is critical,” he said.
The Minister pointed to the Solar Technology Energy Programme (STEP), which assists consumers with transitioning to renewable energy. He said BVIEC is helping to cover installation costs to ensure participants receive the full benefits of the initiative.
According to Rymer, customers with systems already installed through STEP have recorded considerable savings.
“Those persons that we would have already installed a system for would have seen a reduction, even beyond 50 per cent of what their bill used to be,” he said.
“The programme is real, and we encourage persons to get it.”
Rymer added that residents who choose to install renewable energy systems independently can also benefit from duty-free concessions on the necessary equipment.
© 2026 BVI Platinum News. This article is original BVI Platinum content. Reproduction or republication without written permission is prohibited.
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