The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority said Thursday in a press release that an additional mechanical problem discovered during post-repair testing of Unit 27 is delaying the unit’s return to service, extending rotational outages for customers in the St. Thomas-St. John district.
According to the release, plant personnel replaced a critical component on Unit 27 during a scheduled overnight outage early Wednesday. However, testing after the repair revealed another mechanical issue that must be addressed before the generating unit can safely operate.
WAPA said crews are prepared to begin repairs as soon as the replacement part arrives. While the unit remains offline, workers are completing additional inspections and maintenance intended to improve the unit’s efficiency and long-term reliability, the press release stated.
The authority said it will provide a clearer estimate of when rotational outages will end after the replacement part arrives and repairs are underway, the release stated.
“WAPA understands how frustrating these continued rotations have been for customers. We know families, businesses, and visitors are adjusting their daily lives around these interruptions, and we sincerely appreciate the community’s support as our employees work around the clock to restore additional generation capacity,” the authority said in the release.
WAPA also sought to reassure customers that the outages are not related to fuel supplies or payments.
“It is important for customers to know that this is not a fuel inventory or payment issue. Unit 27 remains unavailable solely because of a mechanical repair that must be completed before the unit can safely operate,” the authority said.
To support public safety during the 2026 St. John Festival, WAPA said St. John and the eastern portion of St. Thomas have been removed from the current rotational outage schedule. As a result, several feeders serving other parts of St. Thomas are experiencing outages more frequently than normal, according to the release.
“WAPA recognizes the additional burden this places on those customers and sincerely appreciates their understanding as the Authority balances system reliability with public safety,” the release stated.
