U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS – October 28, 2024 – The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (“WAPA" or the “Authority”) is pleased to announce the progress on commissioning tests for the Phase 2 Wärtsilä engines on St. Thomas, marking a key milestone in advancing efficient and cost-effective energy generation for the territory. As part of this commissioning process, specific tests, including the Emergency Shutdown Test and Soft Start Test, have been successfully completed. Several feeders experienced brief outages yesterday morning from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on the St. Thomas/St. John district; however, no customer was without power for more than two hours. 

The new Wärtsilä units bring several significant benefits for WAPA customers. Operating primarily on propane, these engines are highly efficient and designed to reduce operational costs, which will support long-term savings for customers across the Virgin Islands. The integration of these units not only enhances service reliability but also aligns with WAPA’s goal of sustainable, cost-effective energy generation.  

LPG Emissions Test and further commissioning activities will continue throughout the month of November. WAPA extends its gratitude to the community for their patience and support during this phase, as the thorough commissioning process is crucial to preparing the new engines for safe and reliable service.  

With the successful completion of this phase, WAPA is excited about the enhanced capabilities these engines bring to our power system and looks forward to continued improvements in energy service and efficiency for the Virgin Islands.  

The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority Communication’s department is committed to reaching, informing, and connecting with the youngest members of the community to the eldest, through meaningful, transparent and effective communication.  

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