Virgin Islands Reports Progress in Power-Restoration Efforts

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (WAPA) is working to restore electrical power to the islands that were devastated by hurricanes Irma and Maria in September. Currently, the WAPA is restoring electricity to major population centers and working outward to the rural areas replacing transmission lines, repairing substations and damaged power poles.

Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands were hit with the back-to-back hurricanes about two weeks apart. Most of Puerto Rico has been in the dark since mid-September, and officials estimate it could take another eight months for the power grid to be fully operational.

In Puerto Rico, more than a month since Maria blasted across the island, leaving much of it in ruins, most of the island remains in survival mode. Only 28% of the island has power, and about one-fourth of households still don't have access to clean drinking water, according to the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). More than 3,500 Puerto Ricans remain in shelters. For related information, see November 3, 2017, article - Fluor's Puerto Rico Power Contract Likely to Grow as Hurricane Recovery Continues.

Industrial Info monitors natural disasters and their effects on industrial facilities with one of our latest PECWeb enhancements, the Disaster Impact Tracker. For more information, see the September 12, 2017, article - Industrial Info Introduces Disaster Impact Tracker.

Power plants on the islands of St. Croix and St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands are operational and provided uninterrupted electrical service before, during and after the hurricanes. However, transmission and distribution systems have been destroyed. In a press conference last week, Governor Kenneth Mapp said power had been restored to 38% of St. Thomas, 19% of St. Croix and 14% of St. John, although the WAPA continues to work extended hours to restore the remaining power. Maintaining its initial projection, the WAPA expects to complete at least 90% of the restoration by December.

Many island residents are using portable generators, but fuel costs have risen astronomically, and for that reason, many citizens have resorted to buying fresh food and canned goods to cook on a daily basis. Food and water, as well as meals ready to eat (MREs), have been dropped by helicopter in some remote areas to citizens who do not have access to supermarkets or transportation.

The WAPA has reminded its customers that the work being done in the initial recovery phase is focused on rebuilding primary circuits throughout the feeder paths. Customers whose homes and businesses are along the main circuit routes are being energized when the primary circuits are brought online. However, the bulk of the restoration to residents and businesses will take place in the second phase of restoration.

On St. Croix, the WAPA water-distribution crews also are working to resolve an issue with water availability. Currently, there are 7.5 million gallons of water on St. Croix--a three-day water supply. St. John has three days of emergency water storage, and St. Thomas has just two days of water storage. Customers in higher elevations likely will experience low pressure or no service at all, until all pump stations have been restored with electricity.

FEMA has provide more than $41 million in expedited funds to support relief efforts by the Virgin Islands government to remove storm debris, restore power and provide shelter for residents. FEMA also has said it has dispersed $5 million in individual assistance grants in St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas, where more than 225 people remain in shelters.

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