U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS (November 22, 2024) – The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (“WAPA” or the “Authority”) announces important updates on the Authority's ongoing projects, operational improvements, and recent board decisions following the WAPA Governing Board meeting held yesterday.
During the Executive Director’s report, WAPA CEO Karl Knight highlighted the completion of an internal review of WAPA’s metering and billing system. Efforts are currently focused on replacing outdated meters to reduce estimated billing. Recently, 1,100 meters were received and immediately allocated, with an additional 2,500 units on order and expected to arrive in the coming months. To further improve functionality, a meeting with Tantalus, the current AMI vendor, is scheduled for early December to explore solutions for enhancing the current automated metering system.
On St. Croix, WAPA is moving forward with plans to redevelop its Estate Slob property through the addition of office space and a modern warehouse facility. This renovation will optimize operations and provide a centralized base for WAPA linemen on the island.
In terms of restoration efforts, WAPA successfully completed work in the Bugby Hole community on St. Croix, bringing power back to residents after recent challenges. This effort was made possible by a Senate appropriation supported by Senators Novelle Francis, Kenneth Gittens, and Franklin Johnson.
In a significant leadership announcement, Interim Chief Operating Officer for the Electric System Ashley Bryan will be stepping down from her role on November 29, marking the end of a decade of dedicated service at WAPA. Reflecting on her tenure, she shared, “It’s been a long but rewarding journey. I’m proud of the strides we’ve made together, and I wish WAPA continued success.” Chairman Turnbull and the Board of Directors expressed their deep appreciation for her contributions, including her work on groundbreaking projects such as the Donoe Solar Farm initiative.
The Board also addressed several critical matters during its recent meeting. A no-cost, two-year extension was approved for the National Response Corporation to ensure WAPA’s continued compliance with the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. Additionally, the Board authorized negotiations for a $27 million, three-year contract with Wartsila for the operations and maintenance of the new reciprocating engines and battery energy storage system (BESS) at the Randolph Harley Power Plant. An amendment to the Aggreko agreement for leased generation on St. Croix was also approved, allowing for an additional two-year extension at a cost not to exceed $18 million.
These developments reflect WAPA's ongoing efforts to strengthen infrastructure, support its workforce, and collaborate with federal and local partners to better serve the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
For additional updates, visit WAPA’s website or follow us on social media.
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