💧 Water and Power · U.S. Virgin Islands
WAPA said diesel shipment would allow normal power production at St. Thomas and St. Croix plants
Official document: https://www.viwapa.vi/docs/default-source/news-(docs)/press-release---wapa-secures-solution-to-prevent-rolling-territory-wide-blackouts.pdf?sfvrsn=7f7dd027_2
The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority said on November 29, 2022, that it had arranged a diesel shipment that would allow normal power production at the Randolph Harley Power Plant and the Richmond Power Plant.
WAPA said the shift to 100% diesel meant power generation would rely solely on older generating units, which could reduce reliability. The authority said the Aggreko and Wärtsilä units would not operate because they required propane.
WAPA also said the older units were overdue for maintenance, which could add to reliability problems during the transition. The authority said it was trying to avoid territory-wide rolling blackouts while prioritizing vulnerable communities.