And in the last item of renewable energy news for the day, residents of the British Virgin Islands are petitioning for an end to legislation that discourages the use of alternative energy:
The BVI is blessed with abundant sunshine and trade winds. We want to use these to produce our own clean energy so that we are less dependent on imported, expensive, and polluting fossil fuels. In 2010, we used over 11 million gallons of imported fuel, costing approximately $20 million, to supply our energy needs. We want to stabilise the cost of electricity and reduce the number of power outages experienced.
Peter Island can produce up to 70% if it’s own power using two wind turbines. Cooper Island produces 70% of it’s power using solar panels.
Current legislation prevents the implementation of alternative energy sources from contributing to the main power supply in areas served by BVIEC. Furthermore import duties and a lack of tax incentives make alternative energy technologies expensive..
We urge Government to amend existing legislation and promote clean, sustainable energy and energy conservation in the BVI.
Read more at the petition webpage. See also the Green VI website.
