Wärtsilä to supply 21 MW propane power plant to U.S. Virgin Islands

The order includes three Wärtsilä 34SG-LPG engines running on propane gas. Islands are ideal applications for wind and solar power. With the purchase of the Wartsila plant, the islands can accommodate the variable nature of wind power, as it will ensure backup supply when the wind is not blowing.
Wärtsilä’s scope covers the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) of the project. The power plant will be located on the island of St. Thomas and is expected to be operational in early 2018. The order is booked for the first quarter of 2017.
As is the case with most Caribbean islands, the US Virgin Islands have no domestic fossil energy resources and relies on imports of petroleum products, along with renewables to meet its energy needs. The flexible backup propane plant will enable the islands to increase the penetration of wind and solar power, while still ensuring security of supply.
In addition, the use of propane gas as the primary fossil fuel cuts pollution from diesel generators. Overall there should be a significant long term reduction in the cost of electricity.
This will be Wärtsilä’s first power plant in the US Virgin Islands and its third propane-fired power plant. It will provide baseload, peaking and balancing power for the St. Thomas electric system. The plant will be built to comply with the strict Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emission regulations applicable in the U.S. Virgin Islands – although this may not now be an issue under the Trump administration.
“This contract demonstrates that our propane-fired solutions delivered on a fast-track, EPC basis are valued by our customers”, says Edmund Phillips, Business Development Manager at Wärtsilä Energy Solutions. “The efficiency of these engines offers significant benefits. In addition, their quick start-up time and operational flexibility will support the future integration of renewable energy sources on the island,” continues Phillips.