Mr. José Vanterpool
What if the power that fuels Anguilla tomorrow is already lighting the path today?
That’s the question echoing across the island as the EU-funded, RESEMBID-supported Anguilla Renewable Energy Programme (AREP) draws to a close. But this is no ending—it’s the launch of a new energy era.
The closing ceremony, held on 30 April 2025 at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Tourism, brought together stakeholders including Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Cordell Richardson and Minister Mr. Jose Vanterpool, who hailed the programme as the start of a “sector transformation.”
“What is about to happen in Anguilla will transition our sector into something we have never seen before,” said Hon. Minister Vanterpool. “From electric vehicles and charging stations, to the Green Block and sector-wide capacity building—we have a lot in store.”
The initiative tackled energy reform on multiple fronts: policy, infrastructure, and human development. AREP Coordinator Mr. Travis Carty called it “the beginning of our journey to a cleaner, more resilient energy future,” driven by the urgent need to move away from expensive fuels and environmental risks. “If we don’t come into the future today, we’ll lose an opportunity that may never return.”
AREP focused on three pillars:
1. National EV Transition Plan – This aims to electrify Anguilla’s roads through new policies, infrastructure (including charging stations), and public education. Two electric vehicles were already acquired to demonstrate the shift.
2. National Plan Activities – Updates to the national energy policy, a cost-of-service study to guide fair pricing, and grid stability assessments with ANGLEC forming the backbone of stronger energy governance.
3. The Green Block – From Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport, Albert Lake Stoplight, James Ronald Webster Park and back, the government installed solar-powered streetlights, an EV charging station at the Department of Natural Resources, and energy-efficient upgrades to public buildings. The area showcases the benefits of renewables in action.
Backed by technical studies—such as load flow modelling, short circuit analysis, and battery storage planning—the project is helping recalibrate Anguilla’s grid for smarter energy management. It also included facility cost estimates and optimisation plans to ensure affordability and resilience.
Crucially, the programme invested in people. Training in PV installation, system design, financing, and energy auditing has built a local knowledge base to carry the transition forward.
AREP Coordinator Mr. Dallen Connor highlighted how the journey, which began in 2019, tackled outdated legislation. “Today, we unveil forward-thinking policies that align with the global energy landscape,” he said, noting their aim to boost investor confidence while protecting consumers.
ANGLEC CEO Mr. Steve Hodge admitted they were initially hesitant but is now on board. “Relying on diesel in a volatile world is risky,” he said. He recalled Hurricane Irma’s impact on their first solar farm, underscoring the importance of resilience. ANGLEC now supports renewable integration and grid modernisation but flagged the need for tariff restructuring to keep pace with change.
Parliamentary Secretary Cordell Richardson, stressed that “vision, leadership, and action” are vital for tackling Anguilla’s energy challenges. He pointed to energy efficiency, conservation, and renewables as the three pillars of the island’s energy future. Celebrating the success of the Green Block, he called for a culture of conservation and a “sun-blessed island” powered by solar energy.
Minister Vanterpool closed the ceremony by pledging that AREP’s deliverables—including the Integrated Resource and Resilience Plan (IRRP), cost-of-service study, and the 2024–2040 National Energy Policy—would form the “backbone of our reform agenda,” not gather dust. He laid out next steps: legislative reform for ANGLEC, support for independent power producers, a net billing pilot, new grid codes, and a monitoring group.
“This is a whole-of-government effort that demands a whole-of-society response,” he said, calling on homes, businesses, and public institutions to get involved. “We now have the blueprint in hand. It’s time to start building.”
With political commitment, trained local talent, and community engagement—including students, whom Carty called “our futures”—Anguilla is no longer waiting on global change. It’s leading the charge.
