With three of its largest generators down, the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority said Thursday that power rotations will continue and unexpected outages remain possible, while some areas also face water service disruptions.
According to a WAPA press release, Units 15, 23 and 27 are currently offline for maintenance, significantly reducing available generation capacity and forcing reliance on Wartsila generators that cannot meet demand at all times.
The authority said the limited capacity has required load rotations and contributed to system instability, including districtwide outages reported Thursday morning during restoration efforts, according to the press release.
“The rotation schedule supports system stability, but it cannot eliminate all disruptions,” Lemuel Lavinier, chief operating officer of electric systems at WAPA, said. “We continue working urgently to bring additional capacity online and encourage customers to remain prepared.”
WAPA said a specialized technician is working with crews to restore Unit 15, while critical parts have arrived for Unit 27 and a second technician has been deployed to speed up repairs.
The authority also pointed to the need for additional solar generation and battery storage, noting those resources could help close the current gap in capacity. Long-term improvements are expected through the Prudent Replacement Program, which is intended to modernize aging infrastructure, the press release stated.
In addition to electrical issues, WAPA warned that customers in some areas, including downtown Charlotte Amalie and higher elevation communities, may experience low water pressure or intermittent service, the release stated.
The disruptions are linked to reduced water production caused by power challenges and a major leak at Polyberg Hill, according to the release. Crews are working to stabilize water production and complete repairs.
Customers are encouraged to monitor official updates and sign up for WAPA alerts for information on rotation schedules and restoration efforts.
