THE “GREEN” INDUSTRY ADVANTAGES OF THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
“Besides the global push for more sustainability and the use of renewables, these activities are a
great fit for our island,” says Jerry Garcia, director of marketing and public relations, U.S. Virgin Islands
Economic Development Authority. “We have a great geographical location and various topography,
which makes us well poised to be involved in all aspects of renewables.”
The islands aim to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels by 60 percent within the next 15 years by
developing its renewable energy resources. In March, Gov. John deJongh Jr. signed a memorandum
of understanding between the islands and federal agencies to develop a clean energy development
strategy at a workshop host-
ed by U.S. Department of
Energy’s National Renewable
Energy Laboratory.
The island would support
manufacturing and R&D activities for solar and wind initiatives. “Wind is a feasible
option,” Garcia says. “It is
emerging and manufacturers
are making more aesthetically
pleasing wind turbines, which
would not affect the beauty
of the island. There is a constant stream of wind due to
the series of trade winds that
come from Portugal.” Some
of the wind activity could be
placed offshore.
Garcia adds that opportunities exist for ocean thermal
energy conversion, thanks to
the temperature differentials
found in the deep waters of
the San Juan Trench, which is
located a quarter of a mile
from the island.
To learn more about green
industry activities and the U.S.
Virgin Islands, visit
www.usvieda.org.
