Powering Progress: AREP’s 2024 Milestones in Streamlining Anguilla’s Energy Sector
As Anguilla continues to navigate a changing energy landscape, the Anguilla Renewable Energy Programme (AREP) has made significant progress in 2024 under its EU-funded, RESEMBID-supported project, “Streamlining Anguilla’s Energy Sector Towards a More Sustainable Future”.
These project milestones span three interconnected pillars: Planning, People and Projects. Each of these pillars has helped lay the groundwork for Anguilla’s energy transition, from formulating robust policies to fostering skilled professionals and delivering practical infrastructure. These milestones represent a coordinated push towards a more resilient, affordable and sustainable energy future for Anguilla.
PLANNING: Laying the Foundation for Reform
A successful energy transition begins with solid planning. In 2024, AREP led the development of several key strategic and technical deliverables that now form the backbone of Anguilla’s energy reform agenda. These milestones reflect comprehensive research, expert consultations and stakeholder engagement across the public and private sectors.
Diagnostic Report on Anguilla’s Electric Vehicle Readiness
This foundational report evaluated Anguilla’s current capacity to transition to electric mobility, examining infrastructure, regulations, public awareness and readiness of government and private sector stakeholders. It highlights that while Anguilla’s carbon emissions are negligible on a global scale, Anguilla remains vulnerable to climate change and high fossil fuel costs. The report lays the foundation for policy and investment decisions and includes case studies from similar contexts, an economic assessment of EV adoption, and actionable recommendations that directly informed the subsequent drafting of the National Electric Vehicle Transition Plan (NEVTP).
Draft National Electric Vehicle Transition Plan (NEVTP)
Built on the findings of the Diagnostic Report, the NEVTP serves as a strategic guide for the Government of Anguilla to foster the transition to electric vehicles to mitigate climate change and enhance Anguilla’s energy independence. It outlines policy goals, investment priorities, and public engagement strategies to make electric vehicles a more accessible and attractive option for residents and business use. The Plan emphasises the importance of government leadership, public-private partnerships and phased policy implementation to support the development of a full EV ecosystem.
Draft Electric Mobility Transition Strategy (EMTS)
Complementing the NEVTP, the EMTS identifies specific short- and medium-term actions for accelerating Anguilla’s transportation electrification. It includes preferred transition scenarios, incentive frameworks, battery lifecycle management and workforce development strategies. It also lays out a public awareness approach to increase EV acceptance and uptake across the island.
Draft National Energy Policy (2024 – 2040)
The NEP sets a long-term vision for a more resilient and sustainable energy future. It addresses Anguilla’s dependence on fossil fuels and lays out a multi-sector approach to improving energy efficiency, increasing renewable energy deployment and enhancing energy security. The NEP defines a Visionary Goal which is broken down into nine (9) strategic goals, twenty-nine (29) objectives and supported by nearly two hundred (200) actionable items detailed in its accompanying Action Plan.
Draft Final Expansion Plan and Action Plan
Emerging from the comprehensive modelling and analysis in preparation for the Integrated Resource and Resilience Plan (IRRP), the Final Expansion Plan identifies the preferred energy transition pathway for Anguilla and translates it into a clear set of actions for the next five (5) years. The Plan details short-term investments in renewable energy and grid infrastructure, aligned with regulatory requirements and least-cost principles. It addresses electricity demand growth, the projected uptake of electric vehicles, and necessary grid updates to maintain reliability. The accompanying Action Plan includes implementation tasks, investment sequencing, and guidance on stakeholder responsibilities, creating a practical roadmap to move from vision to execution.
Grid Studies for Solar PV and Battery Energy Storage Interconnection
The Grid Studies analysed how Anguilla’s electrical system would be impacted by the integration of solar PV and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). These studies assessed the use of BESS to provide spinning reserve, renewable energy firming, frequency support and energy shifting to optimise levelised cost of energy. Core activities in these Studies included power system representation, load flow studies, contingency analysis, transient stability and harmonic studies, and battery optimisation. The findings provide critical insights to support infrastructure development while maintaining power quality, reliability and grid resilience.
Cost-of-Service Study
The study offers a transparent view of electricity generation and distribution costs in Anguilla. It provides the electricity provider and relevant government bodies with a decision-making tool for revenue requirements and rate design. By analysing current tariffs, cost allocation, demand forecasts, and future pricing scenarios, the study offers recommendations on how to balance utility viability with customer affordability. It also proposes efficiency incentives and policy frameworks to ensure a fair and sustainable electricity market.
Together, these planning outputs establish a strong analytical and policy framework for accelerating Anguilla’s energy transformation.
PEOPLE: Building Capacity for a Greener Tomorrow
No energy transition can succeed without human capital. Recognising this, AREP prioritised capacity building in 2024 through a series of curated workshops and training sessions that targeted key sectors.
Capacity-Building Workshops for the Transport, Energy and Financial Services Sector
AREP hosted several thematic workshops designed to equip government officers, private sector professionals and students with the knowledge and skills necessary to participate in and lead the energy transition. The workshops focused on three vital sectors:
- Transport: Participants learned about the fundamentals of electric mobility, vehicle technologies and charging infrastructure planning.
- Energy: Sessions covered energy efficiency, energy auditing, renewable energy technologies and regulation and integration of renewable energy.
- Financial Services: This forward-looking series explored green finance, investment mechanisms for clean energy, and the role of finance professionals in supporting sustainability.
These workshops also served as platforms for stakeholder dialogue, building awareness and fostering cross-sectoral collaboration. By equipping participants with tools to engage meaningfully in the energy sector, AREP is investing in Anguilla’s long-term capacity to lead and sustain its energy transformation.
PROJECTS: From Planning to Piloting
In 2024, AREP moved from planning to piloting with the implementation of a visible infrastructure project that paves the way for the transition to electric vehicles.
Installation of Level 2 Electric Vehicle Charging Station
One of the accomplishments in the Projects category was the installation of Level 2 EV charging stations. Strategically located in preparation to serve the inaugural electric vehicles, the stations demonstrate Anguilla’s readiness to support electric mobility.
Beyond mere hardware, these installations send a powerful signal: the future of transport in Anguilla is electric, and the transition is already underway. The charging stations will support broader vehicle electrification of the Government’s fleet in years to come.
The AREP Approach: Integrated, Inclusive, Impactful
One of the distinguishing features of AREP’s work in 2024 was its integrated approach. Rather than treating planning, training and infrastructure as separate activities, AREP viewed them as mutually reinforcing components of a single strategy. The National Energy Policy, for instance, draws directly from insights gained during stakeholder engagements and technical studies.
AREP also remained inclusive, working across ministries, industries and communities. From policy reformers to local electricians, the programme engaged a wide spectrum of stakeholders, ensuring that no one was left behind in the energy conversation.
Finally, the work of 2024 was undeniably impactful. Every milestone achieved contributes to Anguilla’s journey towards lowering emissions, reducing energy costs, increasing resilience and enhancing the quality of life in Anguilla.
Looking Ahead
As 2025 unfolds, AREP is pressing ahead. The focus will now shift towards integrating electric vehicles, incorporating energy-efficient technologies in public buildings as a part of the Green Block initiative and finalising the policies, plans and strategies developed in 2024.
The milestones of 2024 have not only prepared Anguilla for a more sustainable future – they have brought that future within reach.
Together, through Planning, People and Projects, AREP is plugging into the future.
