💧 Water and Power · St. Thomas, VI
WAPA hosted government officials for tour of battery energy storage system on St. Thomas
The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority said it hosted members of the executive and legislative branches on September 10, 2024, for a tour of its newly commissioned battery energy storage system at the Randolph Harley Power Plant on St. Thomas.
WAPA said attendees included Gov. Albert Bryan Jr., Senate President Novelle Francis, Sen. Milton Potter and Sen. Ray Fonseca.
According to the authority, the battery energy storage system was intended to provide backup power during peak demand and support greater integration of renewable energy into the grid by storing excess energy and releasing it when needed.
WAPA said Ashley Bryan, interim chief operating officer of electric, and Kevin Harrigan, interim plant superintendent at Randolph Harley, gave presentations during the tour on the system's operations and its role in power generation.
In a statement included in the release, Francis said members of the 35th Legislature who toured the plant were encouraged by the installation of the battery system and received an update from WAPA Chief Executive Officer Karl Knight and management on the authority's progress and ongoing challenges. Francis also said the tour was affected by heavy rain, thunder and lightning.