Claude Skelton-Cline, a consultant hand-picked by then-Premier Andrew Fahie shortly after the 2019 general election, claimed in a series of reports that he met with Power52 officials before and during the tender process for the Anegada solar project. The company eventually won the contract. Below is a timeline of events starting from Mr. Skelton-Cline’s hire to the personal bankruptcy this year of Power52 leader Rob Wallace Jr. Mr. Skelton-Cline’s account of his involvement with Power52 was later disputed by Mr. Wallace and BVI Electricity Corporation officials, who told the auditor general that Mr. Skelton-Cline played no role in sourcing the company.
Feb. 25, 2019
The Virgin Islands Party wins the general election, opening the way for party leader Andrew Fahie to become premier.
March 8, 2019
Claude Skelton-Cline writes to the Premier’s Office to offer consulting services to Mr. Fahie.
March 27, 2019
Mr. Fahie hires Mr. Skelton-Cline as a “strategic advisor” on climate change and renewable energy, youth employment, Prospect Reef, and other initiatives. Mr. Skelton-Cline signs a contract — the first of three — and he soon begins meeting with Power52 representatives, according to a report he submitted at the end of his first contract, which covered six months.
April 2019
The board of the BVI Electricity Corporation is disbanded. No information is provided to the public at the time, but Mr. Fahie later explains that his government decided to implement a “policy” under which the boards of all government committees and statutory bodies would have a tenure mirroring the “lifespan” of the government in power.
May 2, 2019
In Maryland, American solar developer Rob Wallace Jr. forms a new company: Power52 Clean Energy Access.
Sept. 13, 2019
Mr. Skelton-Cline submits a report to the Premier’s Office on his first contract. In it, he claims that he has “concluded discussions with Power52” regarding its proposal to build a solar grid on Anegada and establish a training programme at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College. He also recommends that the BVIEC hire the company to build the grid.
Oct. 9, 2019
Mr. Skelton-Cline meets with Power52 to discuss the company’s solar training programme proposal, according to his second report, dated Jan. 22, 2020.
Oct. 11, 2019
The BVIEC, still lacking a board of directors, announces a request for proposals for the Anegada solar project on Facebook.
Nov. 7, 2019
Cabinet decides to appoint Rosemarie Flax as BVIEC board chairwoman for a period of three years effective Nov. 15, 2019 and approves three other board appointments.
Nov. 14-15, 2019
Mr. Skelton-Cline meets with Power52 about its training proposal, according to his second report, dated Jan. 22, 2020.
Dec. 11, 2019
The BVIEC hosts a mandatory site visit for potential bidders for the Anegada solar project.
Dec. 12, 2019
The BVIEC holds a question-and-answer session for the potential bidders.
Jan. 6, 13 and 14, 2020
Mr. Skelton-Cline meets with Power52 to prepare for the launch of the solar training programme, according to his Jan. 22, 2020, report.
Jan. 22, 2020
Mr. Wallace and NFL Hall-of-Famer Ray Lewis announce their solar technician training programme at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College. The same day, Mr. Skelton-Cline submits his second progress report, which describes a pending power-purchase agreement between Power52 and the BVIEC.
Feb. 24, 2020
Deadline for companies to submit their bids for the Anegada solar project.
March 31, 2020
The BVIEC announces that it has received five bids, each of which included an engineering, procurement and construction scenario and a power-purchase agreement scenario. The utility doesn’t provide the cost of each bid, but it does state the number of “points” awarded to each bidder. Power52 scored the highest number of points in both scenarios, according to the BVIEC.
July 17, 2020
In a press conference, Ms. Flax and then-BVIEC General Manager Leroy Abraham announce Power52 Clean Energy Access as the winner of the contract, with an aim to complete construction by November 2021.
Nov. 12, 2020
In his budget address, Mr. Fahie states that Power52 Clean Energy Access had won the bid more than a month before it was announced by Ms. Flax and Mr. Abraham.
Jan. 18, 2021
After a one-year delay, representatives from Power52, the BVIEC, and the government attend a celebration at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College marking the start of the solar technician training programme. Mr. Wallace does not attend.
May 3, 2021
The first cohort graduates from the solar technician training programme. Two instructors soon claim they went into debt after not being paid by Mr. Wallace. A second cohort has not been announced.
Nov. 2, 2021
In Maryland, Mr. Wallace forms a new company, Power52 Clean Energy Access Anegada, declaring himself president and CEO.
Nov. 5, 2021
Mr. Wallace signs the contract for the Anegada solar project alongside government and BVIEC officials at the R&R Malone Complex in Pockwood Pond. The contract is awarded to the company he formed three days earlier — a fact that went unmentioned at the ceremony but was confirmed this year by the BVIEC.
Dec. 23, 2021
Henry Cortes, the founder of the New Jersey solar company Core Development Group, signs a resolution on behalf of Power52 Clean Energy Access Anegada, according to corporate records. The resolution, which is filed in Maryland, lists Mr. Cortes as an “authorised person,” and doesn’t name Mr. Wallace.
Feb. 1, 2022
In New Jersey, Mr. Cortes signs a certificate of registration on behalf of Power52 Clean Energy Access Anegada — thus enabling the company to do business in that state.
Dec. 29, 2022
Mr. Wallace attends a groundbreaking ceremony on Anegada, where he mentions for the first time that Core Development Group is involved in the project.
Feb. 3, 2023
Mr. Wallace files for personal Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Maryland, claiming he owes almost $9.4 million to more than 50 creditors, including $100,000 to Core Development Group.