WAPA Board Approves Purchase Of Materials And Supplies For Electrical Restoration

As the restoration of electrical service continues territory-wide, the governing board of the Virgin Islands Water & Power Authority on Friday approved the purchase of additional materials and supplies, and formalized agreements with off-island utilities now working in the Virgin Islands, WAPA has announced.

The board approved the purchase of materials and supplies for the restoration from Hurricanes Irma and Maria:

• Electric Supply of Tampa—$2.8 million
• American Wire Group – $2.2 million
• PECO International – $3.3 million

The board also voted to formalize emergency assistance agreements with several off-island utilities that have provided manpower to augment WAPA line personnel and on-island contractors. The agreements are with Haugland Energy Group for the second phase of the restoration, as well as with Northeast Public Power Administration and companies in Missouri, Tallahassee, and South Carolina. Approval was also rendered to contracts for debris removal, and for the purchase and removal of transformers by Kami Metals. The board approved a contract extension with Z and I Builders of St. Croix for the removal of hazardous hurricane debris on the west end.

The cost of all materials and supplies, emergency assistance agreements and debris removal contracts are expected to be reimbursed through assistance provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

In other action:

⇒ A time extension was granted on a contract with Dashiell Corporation for the completion of generator protection upgrades on two generating units at the St. Croix Richmond plant.

⇒ The purchase of a replacement switchgear for the East End electrical substation on St. Thomas was approved in the amount of $3.3 million. The switchgear was damaged in one of the September hurricanes.

⇒ A pair of change orders with Wartsila North America were approved. The change orders are for a medium voltage switchgear extension and to upgrade the operating and historical archiving stations to interface and maintain the power production facilities. The change orders increase the overall contract amount to $37.4 million. The contract is associated with WAPA’s procurement of new, right-sized generators at the Harley power plant.

⇒ Funding was approved in the amount of $450,000 for a contract extension with Arcadis, Inc. The company will provide air pollution compliance consulting and engineering services, which are requirements of WAPA’s air operating permits. The company is also providing WAPA with consultation on existing consent decrees.

All board approvals were unanimous.

Board members present included: Chairwoman Elizabeth Armstrong, Vice Chairman Noel Loftus, Secretary Juanita Young, Director Marvin Pickering, Commissioners Devin Carrington and Nelson Petty, Gerald Groner, Esq., Cheryl Boynes Jackson and Hubert Turnbull.