RTW unveils Caribbean’s largest rooftop solar project
Roadtown Wholesale Trading Ltd. (RTW) has commissioned what is being described as the Caribbean’s largest rooftop solar installation — a 1-megawatt system at its Pasea Estate that RTW says will supply roughly 30% of the site’s annual electricity needs. The $1.9 million private-sector investment was formally unveiled at a July 9 ceremony with government, utility and industry partners, and company and developer officials say the project sets a new benchmark for commercial renewables in the BVI.
Roadtown Wholesale Trading Ltd. (RTW) has officially commissioned what is being described as the Caribbean’s largest rooftop solar installation at its Pasea Estate complex in Tortola. The one-megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic system, spanning the rooftops of several buildings on the site, was formally unveiled during a July 9 ceremony attended by Minister for Communications and Works Kye Rymer, officials from the British Virgin Islands Electricity Corporation (BVIEC), renewable energy developer YourEco, RTW executives, business leaders and members of the media, according to Guavaberry.
RTW said the company invested $1.9 million in the installation, which it expects to generate roughly 30 per cent of the Pasea Estate’s annual electricity demand. The company framed the investment as part of a long-term commitment to sustainability, innovation and responsible corporate leadership and thanked the RTW team, partners and government representatives for their support (VINO; Guavaberry).
Delivered in partnership with BVIEC and YourEco, the project demonstrates public–private collaboration as the Territory explores cleaner energy options. YourEco CEO Nick Spicer told Guavaberry the installation was designed for long-term reliability and is expected to deliver value for decades: “This project proves that commercial rooftops can deliver serious, bankable energy—lower bills, stronger resilience and a meaningful reduction in carbon emissions without compromising on quality or safety.” RTW Managing Director Jackie McDonagh described the launch as a milestone for the company. “Today marks one of the most significant milestones in RTW’s 65-year history,” she said, adding the project reflects RTW’s commitment to innovation and sustainability (Guavaberry).
Beyond RTW’s immediate cost savings and operational benefits, observers say the project has wider importance for the British Virgin Islands. The Territory has long relied heavily on imported diesel for electricity generation, leaving residents and businesses exposed to volatile global fuel prices and supply chain disruptions.
Commercial-scale solar projects such as the Pasea Estate installation can help reduce that exposure, ease pressure on the grid, and strengthen local energy resilience. RTW noted the rooftop array will lower dependence on imported fossil-fuel generated electricity and strengthen local energy resilience for years to come.
The company also said the investment forms part of The North West Company’s (NWC) broader Environmental, Social and Governance strategy — specifically the “Planet Pillar” — and contributes to efforts to reduce emissions and support climate action (VINO; Guavaberry). Industry leaders hope the project will serve as a model for other large commercial enterprises in the BVI and across the Caribbean by showing that rooftop systems can deliver measurable financial returns while supporting national energy goals.
As the Territory continues conversations about diversifying its energy mix, residents and businesses will be watching how projects like this affect grid stability, fuel import bills and the cost of doing business locally. RTW said it looks forward to continuing collaborative work with government agencies, BVIEC, YourEco and local partners to expand sustainable energy solutions across the Territory.
Primary source: VINO