Local News
BVI Electricity Corporation Unveils Transparent Billing System, Detailing Fuel Costs
The British Virgin Islands Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) has introduced a revised electricity bill format that provides customers with a clearer breakdown of fuel-related charges, in a move toward greater financial transparency, The new bill, set to be distributed starting this month, was unveiled at a press conference held at BVIEC’s Long Bush headquarters on Thursday.
The redesigned bill includes additional details aimed at helping customers better understand how fuel costs contribute to their electricity charges. It now displays the cost of fuel per gallon as a surcharge, reflecting the base cost that influences energy pricing. It also shows the BVIEC fuel subsidy per gallon, which represents the amount the corporation offsets to reduce the financial burden on consumers. The customer fuel surcharge per gallon, or net surcharge, reveals the final fuel-related charge customers pay after subsidies are applied.
“This initiative underscores our commitment to transparency and accountability,” said Dr. Neil Smith, BVIEC’s General Manager. “Customers deserve to know not only what they’re being charged but also how BVIEC is working to support them, particularly in an era of fluctuating energy prices.”
Chief Financial Officer Carmen Sully echoed this sentiment, emphasizing BVIEC’s longstanding efforts to cushion customers from rising fuel costs. She explained that each month, BVIEC makes a substantial financial contribution to help mitigate high energy prices. By including this information in the bill, the corporation is not just offering transparency but also highlighting the value it provides to every household and business in the territory.
Beyond improved visibility into costs, the updated billing system reflects a broader modernization effort in how customer charges are processed and presented.
The new bill format will be implemented for all BVIEC customers beginning in April 2025.
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force has confirmed that Tarik Aaron was arrested shortly before midnight on Friday, April 17, on extradition orders issued by authorities in the United States Virgin Islands, and has since appeared before the Magistrate’s Court.
According to police, the arrest was carried out in connection with a request from USVI authorities, though further details have not been disclosed.
Aaron appeared before the Magistrate’s Court today and was denied bail.
Further updates are expected as more information becomes available.
The Civil Registry and Passport Office has announced an increase in fees for United Kingdom passports, effective April 8, 2026.
According to the office, the revised fees apply to new, renewal and replacement passport applications, as well as other related services.
Under the new structure, the cost for a new, renewal or replacement adult passport has been set at £116.50, while the fee for a child passport is £75.50. Adult frequent traveller passports will cost £130.50, and child frequent traveller passports £89.50.
The fee for changes to an existing passport will also be £116.50. In addition, a delivery fee of £14.32 will apply.
The Civil Registry and Passport Office advised that the updated fees are now in effect and apply to all relevant applications submitted on or after April 8.
A bill proposing wide-ranging changes to the Virgin Islands’ electoral system was introduced in the House of Assembly today, Tuesday, April 22, by Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley.
The proposed Elections (Amendment) Act, 2026, is based on consultations with stakeholders and recommendations from observer missions, as well as input from the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections.
“This is the Elections Amendment Act 2026, following extensive deliberations with a number of entities, including a committee of the House who looked at recommendations of various observer missions that came to The Virgin Islands,” Hon. Wheatley said during the continuation of the Second Sitting of the Third Session of the Fifth House of Assembly.
He said the bill also builds on work undertaken by the previous House of Assembly. “Also, the last House of Assembly looked at a number of recommendations that were forwarded through the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections,” he said.
Hon. Wheatley said the proposed amendments were developed through discussions on changes to the Elections Act. “We had very extensive discussions about amendments to the Elections Act, and of course, those recommendations were used to make this Amendment Act. This received its first reading some time ago, and now we are here to debate this Elections Act, so that it can therefore become law,” he said.
The bill introduces several reforms to the electoral framework, including expanded access to voting through mobile and curbside options for individuals with physical limitations and the formal use of assistive technologies for voters with disabilities.
It also provides for the establishment of a Department of Elections and an Elections Advisory Committee to oversee voter registration and election administration.
Additional provisions include a formal Code of Conduct for political parties and candidates, along with new rules governing campaign donations and political financing.
The legislation also proposes restrictions on the announcement of major public grants or projects shortly before an election, aimed at addressing potential incumbency advantages.
The bill has already received its first reading and is expected to be referred to a committee when the House of Assembly resumes on April 30, 2026, at 10 a.m., where it will undergo further review as part of the legislative process.
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