Propane to generate electric power for Virgin Islands

The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (WAPA) signed an agreement with the Vitol Group, an energy supplier, to use propane as the primary fuel for power generation in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The signing came after WAPA’s governing board voted unanimously to proceed with the agreement, which entails a minimum five-year propane supply contract to meet WAPA’s fuel needs.

The agreement between WAPA and the Vitol Group includes infrastructure construction to deliver, receive and store propane, as well as the conversion of WAPA’s turbines by General Electric at the St. Thomas and St. Croix plants to burn both propane and diesel fuel, if necessary.

According to a press release, using propane will reduce WAPA’s fuel costs by about 30 percent and result in savings for all WAPA customers. Using propane will also decrease greenhouse gas emissions by about 20 percent, WAPA says.