WAPA Completes Feeder 13 Repairs; Rotational Outages Persist Due to Offline Unit 23

Successful restoration efforts on Feeder 13 contrast with ongoing challenges as Unit 23 remains down for maintenance, affecting power supply stability

The V.I. Water and Power Authority has announced the successful repair of Feeder 13, resolving issues caused by a damaged underground cable. The extensive repair efforts culminated last Friday evening, bringing relief to numerous affected customers in the St. Thomas-St. John district, WAPA said.

However, the joy of this achievement is tempered by the ongoing challenges posed by Unit 23, which remains offline. This has necessitated the continuation of rotational power outages, affecting various feeders and adding to the region's power instability.

The Feeder 13 repair operation involved WAPA's line department, transmission, and distribution teams, along with contractors Haugland VI and F&R Electric. Together, they undertook a meticulous process to inspect and test the approximately five-mile-long cable, which includes a two-mile underground segment with 29 manholes. This careful examination was essential to pinpoint the exact location of the fault and execute the necessary repairs, according to a release from WAPA.