The V.I. Water and Power Authority issued requests for qualification seeking potential suppliers of liquefied natural gas and of liquefied petroleum gas this week, taking one of the first concrete steps toward converting some of its big units from fuel oil to much less expensive gas.

Converting base-load power production from fuel oil to liquefied natural gas or propane is one prong of WAPA's plans for future power generation. WAPA is also looking at measures to enhance production efficiency at existing power generation facilities; a grid interconnection between the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico; expanding on the 18 megawatts of solar power WAPA contracted for in June; wind, biomass and ocean thermal energy production, among other options.

If interested in receiving an RFQ package, please email Debarah Smith or Madeline Stevens Webster at debarah.smith@viwapa.vi and madeline.webster@viwapa.vi, respectively or at pr-08-13@viwapa.vi.

Interested suppliers may submit their responses via pdf format electronically to pr-08-13@viwapa.vi for the liquefied petroleum gas contract, or to pr-07-13@viwapa.vi for the liquefied natural gas contract. Applications may be hand delivered to WAPA offices on St. Thomas (call 774-3552 ext. 2032 or 2038 for directions) or mailed to Virgin Islands Water & Power Authority, Attn: Madeline Stevens Webster, Contract Administration Manager, P.O. Box 1450, St. Thomas, VI 00804.

Responses must be received no later than 3 p.m. Nov. 9. Once the list of respondents is narrowed down, a request for bids should go out in January, WAPA Chief Executive Officer Hugo Hodge Jr. said earlier this month.