💧 Water and Power · St. Thomas, VI
WAPA board approved contract and project actions at May 25 meeting
The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority’s governing board approved several action items at its May 25, 2023, meeting and received updates on ongoing projects and operations.
The board approved a no-cost extension through Sept. 1, 2023, for the Clifton Hill Water Rehabilitation Project to allow completion of as-built documents and paving in the Clifton Hill neighborhood. WAPA said the project was funded through the territory’s Drinking Water Capital Improvement Grant.
The board also approved a one-month extension, through June 30, 2023, of the operation and maintenance agreement with Wärtsilä Caribbean Inc. while WAPA completed its review of data, equipment, personnel and costs tied to the contract.
In another action, the board approved an amendment to the Randolph Harley Power Plant Firewater Pump House Construction Project to increase the cost by up to $371,495 and expand the scope to include installation of a five-way switch and a 13.8kV/480V transformer. WAPA said the project was funded through a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grant.
A motion to hold meetings by May 31, 2023, between the governing board and all parties involved in battery energy storage negotiations with WAPA failed on a 2-2 vote. Board Chairman Kyle Fleming and Secretary Juanita Young voted no, while board members Hubert Turnbull and Cheryl Jackson voted yes.
Chief Executive Officer Andrew Smith told the board that April 2023 was accident-free and that WAPA had resumed dielectric testing on a six-month schedule. Smith also said the authority planned to switch to Total for vehicle gasoline and diesel purchases on St. Thomas, a change WAPA said would save about $40,000 to $50,000 a year.
Smith also said WAPA had paid $45 million on May 1, 2023, toward the Vitol settlement and expected to release another $100 million on or before Aug. 14, 2023, to settle the remaining obligations. According to the update, the May 1 payment was supported by a line of credit established by the Virgin Islands government, and WAPA agreed to a promissory note requiring repayment to the government. Smith said WAPA was in discussions with eight fuel suppliers to replace Vitol.