Gittens Calls for Consideration of Private Operation of WAPA Generation as Outages and High Costs Persist

ST. CROIX, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — October 22, 2026 —

Senate Vice President Kenneth L. Gittens is calling on the Virgin Islands Government to consider private operation of the Water and Power Authority’s (WAPA) power generation operations while keeping the electricity distribution system in public hands, citing persistent outages, unreliable service, and high costs affecting residents and businesses.

Speaking on the Senate floor Thursday, Gittens proposed that a financially capable private company could operate, maintain, and invest in electricity generation, while WAPA or another public entity would retain ownership and oversight of the distribution network. He said the Territory should examine alternatives to WAPA’s ongoing energy challenges without relinquishing public control of the system that delivers electricity to customers.

Gittens urged WAPA leadership and Government officials to move beyond discussions and take concrete steps to evaluate credible private-sector proposals, including a thorough assessment of their potential to improve reliability and reduce costs. He stressed that any arrangement must include strict performance standards, financial safeguards, environmental protections, and strong regulatory oversight to ensure that the public interest remains the priority.

“The people of the Virgin Islands cannot afford more delays, more outages, and more promises without results,” Gittens said.

He called on the Government and WAPA to act with urgency, fully explore the feasibility of private operation of generation assets, and pursue solutions that deliver dependable electricity at a cost residents and businesses can afford. Gittens emphasized that the time for business as usual has passed and that the Territory must take decisive action to protect its people, strengthen its economy, and secure a more reliable energy future.