Bryan and O’Neal outline energy emergency actions and WAPA payments at May 28 briefing

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. and Office of Management and Budget Director Jenifer O’Neal said at a Government House briefing on May 28, 2024, that the U.S. Virgin Islands’ local energy state of emergency remained in effect through June 21 as officials worked to address electrical outages and WAPA’s financial obligations.

Bryan had declared the state of emergency on April 22, 2024, to avert rotating outages and blackouts on St. Croix, and extended it on May 22 for 30 more days.

O’Neal, identified as incident commander, said the incident command structure was meeting daily and included representatives from WAPA, OMB, the Public Finance Authority, the Finance Department, VITEMA, the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, the Virgin Islands Energy Office and the Virgin Islands Housing Authority.

She said the government had paid more than $10 million to WAPA for past-due utility bills from Schneider Regional Medical Center, Juan F. Luis Hospital and the Waste Management Authority. She also said WAPA had paid Aggreko for 18 leased generators on St. Croix, had paid Seven Seas for operation and maintenance of reverse osmosis plants, and would pay Wärtsilä shortly.

According to O’Neal, officials expected a mid-July 2024 closing with the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority on U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development funding to acquire VITOL propane terminals for propane facilities on St. Thomas and St. Croix.

She said Wärtsilä generators were expected to restart within 30 days and that a negotiated agreement would allow WAPA to install four new generators and battery storage systems at the Krum Bay power plant serving the St. Thomas-St. John district.

O’Neal also said the Public Finance Authority had issued a request for proposals for a WAPA turnaround company and expected to have a contract in place within 30 days.

Bryan said VI Electron was advancing a solar project at Estate Petronella on St. Croix that would provide 10 megawatts of power with battery supply, and that the interconnection study was expected to be completed by the end of July 2024.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-albert-bryan-jr-and-omb-director-jenifer-oneal-provide-updates-on-local-energy-state-of-emergency/