Hours after U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm toured the Randolph Harley Power Plant, the island of St. Thomas plunged into another island-wide blackout, starkly underscoring the urgent and critical energy crisis gripping the U.S. Virgin Islands. Hosted by Delegate Stacey Plaskett, Granholm’s visit was meant to address the power issues but instead highlighted the severity of the territory’s energy problems.
The outage on Tuesday started in the mid-afternoon and continued past 9 p.m. WAPA officials reported that a malfunction in Unit 23, followed by a leak, disrupted the power supply. Efforts to stabilize the grid were partially successful by 8 p.m., but not all areas were restored.
Urgent Concerns Amid Long-Term Plans
During her visit Tuesday, Granholm emphasized the necessity of reliable, affordable, and sustainable power. “First of all, you have to have reliable and sustainable power for people to be able to live. Number two, it’s got to be affordable. You pay way too much right now,” she stated.
Granholm focused on long-term strategies, highlighting renewable energy as a key to reducing costs and ensuring sustainability. “What is the most abundant and less expensive form of power? It is renewables. The sun is free. You don’t have to pay for imported diesel or imported fossil fuels,” she explained.
However, residents have continued to demand immediate relief. “We’ve heard a lot about long-term plans, but people are suffering right now,” voiced a Virgin Islands Daily News reporter during a brief question and answer session.
In response, Granholm outlined federal support, including U.S. Housing and Urban Development funding for WAPA to control fuel resources. “This is why today we’re announcing that HUD is funding the ability for WAPA to control the fuel that they have. That’s number one. We want to make sure the long-term plan is underway. And one of the things that the delegate asked us to do is to have a stakeholder meeting and a meeting with governmental entities to get on the same page with respect to a goal and a plan.”
Plaskett echoed Granholm’s sentiments, emphasizing the need for sticking to a clear plan. “The main issue that I have seen is us sticking to a plan. And that plan has an end goal in mind. And I’m grateful that there are resources now that maybe weren’t there 10 years ago or even six years ago that can get us to where we want to go,” she said.
The meeting highlighted ongoing issues with WAPA’s aging infrastructure and the need for redundancy in the power grid. The utility has been operating under a local State of Emergency that Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. first declared on April 22, and which the V.I. Legislature voted to extend for 90 days on June 24.
Plaskett acknowledged the hard work of WAPA employees but emphasized the need for reliable funding for maintenance and improvements. Granholm mentioned steps being taken, such as integrating battery storage, expected to be operational next month, and acquiring an LPG terminal. These measures aim to provide more stability and reduce costs in the long term. However, the timeline for these initiatives extends into next year, leaving residents uncertain about their immediate future.
Meanwhile, in the past two days, HUD has announced a $100 million allocation in Community Development Block Grant – Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) funds to the territory to enhance fuel storage infrastructure, streamlining fuel delivery, and boosting energy security.
“As a proud native of the U.S. Virgin Islands, I understand the impact of an unpredictable electric system,” HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman said in a statement. “Virgin Islanders should not have to worry about losing power every day; business owners should be able to open their stores and restaurants confidently. This funding is an investment in a better future.”
The funds will support the purchase of fuel storage infrastructure on St. Thomas and St. Croix from Vitol, part of efforts to modernize the territory’s electrical systems after hurricanes Irma and Maria.
“Electrical system reliability enhances the long-term resilience and sustainability of the territory’s infrastructure,” said Marion McFadden, principal deputy assistant secretary for Community Planning and Development. “We worked closely with the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority team to ensure these funds are available.”
Plaskett, in her own release, acknowledged the necessity of the funding but expressed reservations about using it to settle debts with Vitol. “While I previously expressed my reservations about the use of such precious funds to purchase Vitol infrastructure, I am grateful for the relationship the Virgin Islands has with HUD. This funding is intended to increase resilience to disasters and reduce long-term risks.”
Bryan praised the funding as a critical achievement. “The securing of this grant is the culmination of persistent advocacy and collaboration at the highest levels of government,” said Bryan in a statement Tuesday. “This is not just an investment in infrastructure; it’s a foundational step towards the strategic resilience of our energy systems.”
The grant enables WAPA to acquire essential fuel storage facilities, enhancing the reliability and cost-effectiveness of energy delivery. “This acquisition is a cornerstone of VIWAPA’s strategic initiatives aimed at providing the Virgin Islands community with resilient and economically feasible energy solutions,” Bryan added.
