Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. participated this week in the Global Sustainable Island Summit in Nevis, where he delivered remarks highlighting the U.S. Virgin Islands’ leadership in renewable energy, infrastructure development, and regional cooperation.
In his Friday address, Bryan drew a sharp contrast between the Virgin Islands’ progress and the financing challenges still faced by many island nations.
“While other islands are still searching for funding, the U.S. Virgin Islands has been fortunate to receive unprecedented support from the federal government—more than $23 billion in total investment, including $2 billion dedicated specifically to energy transformation,” Bryan stated.
He underscored the Territory’s successful use of public-private partnerships, particularly the launch of a 115-megawatt solar and battery storage initiative in collaboration with VI Electron. “This project not only brings clean, renewable energy to our islands,” he said, “but it does so at a lower cost and with greater reliability—demonstrating what’s possible when government and the private sector work hand in hand.”
Bryan was joined at the summit by Premier Mark Brantley of Nevis, who presented Nevis’s groundbreaking geothermal energy project—an initiative that aims to supply clean power to both Nevis and neighboring St. Kitts. Governor Bryan commended Nevis for its innovation in renewable energy and urged Caribbean islands to embrace regional collaboration.
“We must look to specialization across the region,” Bryan said. “The Virgin Islands have long led in emergency disaster response. Nevis is leading in energy. Other islands excel in agriculture, construction, and beyond. By harnessing our individual strengths collectively, we can build a more resilient and economically powerful Caribbean.”
Addressing the broader theme of sustainability, he noted that while the term may function as a buzzword in wealthier nations, for small island territories it represents a vital and urgent necessity. He encouraged fellow leaders to leverage what he called the “delta of inefficiency”—the gap between the high cost of government services and the efficiencies of the private sector—as a tool for unlocking financing and attracting smarter investments.
Bryan continues to participate in the summit alongside global experts and island leaders from across the Caribbean and as far as Hawaii, all working toward a shared vision of sustainable island futures.
