Anegada Becomes BVI’s First Solar Island
Anegada’s new $6 million hybrid solar and battery facility was officially commissioned, combining a 1.3MW solar array with a 4MW battery system to supply up to 19 hours of daytime power and sharply cut diesel use. Government and utility leaders say the project boosts resilience, supports the BVI’s 60% renewable-by-2030 target and creates a marketable eco-tourism advantage for the sister island.
Anegada has been officially reborn as the British Virgin Islands’ first solar-powered island after the commissioning of a $6 million hybrid renewable energy and battery storage facility. The system pairs a 1.3-megawatt solar photovoltaic plant with a four-megawatt battery energy storage system, allowing the island to run primarily on renewable power for up to 19 hours per day under peak conditions.
Diesel generation will remain available but largely limited to brief night-time use, significantly reducing fuel consumption, noise and emissions. Works Minister Kye Rymer, speaking at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, framed the project as both an economic and reputational opportunity. "Anegada can now proudly market itself as producing the majority of its daytime energy from renewable sources," he said, urging the Tourist Board and local businesses to adopt visible sustainability practices and promote the island as a low-carbon destination.
BVIEC Chairman Sheldon Scatliff described the installation as bringing renewable energy "down to a human level," with immediate benefits for households and businesses. More stable daytime power means air-conditioning, refrigeration and tourism services can run on cleaner energy, while battery backup strengthens the community’s ability to ride out storms and interruptions to fuel shipments from Tortola.
Health Minister and Ninth District Representative Vincent Wheatley called the commissioning a "turning point" for the territory, a visible step towards climate resilience and a model other islands can emulate. Officials also highlighted the wider fiscal impact: the BVI spends more than $50 million a year on diesel for electricity, and shifting generation to renewables reduces exposure to international price volatility and can free public funds for other services.
The Anegada facility represents a practical move toward the government’s target of 60 percent renewable energy by 2030. Project backers say the combination of solar and storage — rather than solar alone — is what allows the island to operate independently for extended periods, a critical advantage when shipping is delayed or during storm recovery.
For Anegada residents and businesses, the changes mean quieter nights, cleaner air and improved resilience. For tourism operators, the island’s new renewable credentials offer a tangible selling point to eco-conscious visitors. Officials encouraged local enterprises to seek sustainability badges and make their energy practices visible, turning infrastructure investment into an island-wide brand.
Leaders at the ceremony agreed the facility is more than new equipment; it marks a new chapter for Anegada and a signal of transition for the entire BVI toward cleaner, more resilient energy.
Primary source: BVI News