WAPA Announces Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Installation Completed with Remobilization of Wärtsilä Phase 2 Project at RHPP

WAPA release

The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (“WAPA” or the “Authority”) announces the much-awaited remobilization of the Wärtsilä Phase 2 New Generation project at the Randolph Harley Power Plant (RHPP). In addition to the work on the Wärtsilä units, we are pleased to announce the completion of the final battery module installation for the Battery Energy Storage System (“BESS”). The next phases of this project include testing and commissioning the BESS system, finalizing the Light Fuel Oil (“LFO”) commissioning, continuing the Liquified Petroleum Gas (“LPG”) interconnection activities, and performing the final commissioning of the plant.

As part of our ongoing efforts to improve grid reliability, we begin finalizing the LFO commissioning this weekend, which may result in some unplanned electrical outages for customers in the St. Thomas/St. John district. We understand the inconvenience that unplanned electrical outages can cause, and we sincerely apologize for any disruption that may last approximately 30 minutes.

While we do not anticipate additional challenges, please be aware that any unforeseen loss or reduced capacity of generation at the plant may extend the outages without advance notice. Over the next four months, the Authority is committing to provide real-time updates via WAPA Alerts and other media outlets to keep you informed while this essential work is being conducted.

This project marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to enhance the reliability and efficiency of power generation for the St. Thomas/St. John district. The remobilization phase includes critical steps to bring the new Wärtsilä units online, which will substantially improve our energy infrastructure across the district.

Once these commissioning activities are complete, WAPA will proceed with load and performance tests. These tests are crucial to ensure that the plant operates efficiently and safely under various load conditions, verifying that all systems function as designed. The commissioning process in electrical power plants involves thorough inspections and testing to confirm that all components are installed correctly, operate safely, and meet performance specifications.

We understand that delays in the project's progress have been challenging and frustrating for our community. We sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding as we work persistently to bring these improvements to fruition in short order. The enhanced reliability and efficiency of our power generation infrastructure will provide long-term benefits for all residents and businesses in the St. Thomas/St. John district.

The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority remains committed to delivering safe, reliable, and efficient power to our customers. We will continue to keep the community informed about the progress of this critical project and strive for the utmost level of transparency.