WAPA's Project Delays Cost $3 Million Monthly, AMI System Faces 60% Failure Rate

At this week's meeting of the Public Services Commission, representatives of the V.I. Water Power Authority came under fire for delays in completing studies required to bring solar and wind projects online. Commissioners were also displeased by setbacks with the advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) system. Commissioner David Hughes noted that WAPA has engaged multiple consultants over the past six years to study integrating renewables into the territory’s grid, yet the first study still is not complete after over a year of delays. "It amazes me that it's taken us this long to get to something so simple as an interconnection study," he said. "Every month that these projects are delayed costs ratepayers approximately $3 million."  Mr. Hughes stressed that the studies were needed to connect the solar and wind projects and begin bringing down costs for customers. "WAPA needs to prioritize this work and make renewable integration a true priority." WAPA Executive Director Andrew Smith p...