Lawmakers Approve Slate of Bills for Energy, Health and Child Protection

A significant portion of the legislative package during Thursday’s Committee on Rules and Judiciary meeting focused on the Virgin Islands’ energy future, with the passage of Bill 35-0300 and Bill 35-0320—two measures that approve lease agreements for renewable wind energy projects on St. Thomas and St. Croix.

Bill 35-0300 authorizes a lease agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands and Advanced Power LLC, allowing the company to construct, operate, and maintain wind turbine generators on several parcels of land on St. Thomas. The project, part of a larger microgrid initiative, is expected to produce 16.6 megawatts of renewable energy, representing about 25 percent of the island’s energy needs. This shift to green energy is seen as a major step toward reducing reliance on fossil fuels, cutting energy costs, and promoting sustainability.

“This is about investing in the future of our islands,” said Sen. Novelle E. Francis Jr., who sponsored the bill. “We are bringing in external funding and expertise to construct this wind farm without burdening our local government finances, and the benefits will be long-lasting.” Similarly, Bill 35-0320 approved a wind energy project for St. Croix, granting a lease to Advanced Power LLC for multiple parcels of land in Queen’s Quarter. This project aims to deliver renewable energy and alleviate the high costs associated with the aging Water and Power Authority infrastructure.