ENERGY CONSERVATION 

 5 MegaWatts+

Generating system efficiency and system losses - WAPA’s present system of power generating equipment has an overall efficiency around 25%. More efficient generating technologies operate in the range of 39%. A 5% improvement in efficiency could reduce peak demand and required installed capacity by over 2.5 MW. System losses from WAPA plant to customer are 8%. Urban service areas similar to the Virgin Islands usually have losses in the 5.5% to 6.5% range. Reducing system losses by as little by 1% could reduce peak demand and required installed capacity by over ½ MW.

Residential, commercial and VI Government energy conservation - The average household electricity use in the VI is approximately 500 kWh/month. The VI Energy Office (VIEO) supports energy conservation through incentives for purchase of energy efficiency appliances. As much as 30% of household energy use may be used for water heating. VIREA is promoting a privately-financed Solar Water Heating (SWH) lease/purchase program that would work through WAPA and make SWH available to WAPA customers with no net increase in the customer’s energy bill. Through this program, solar energy could provide 70% of the electric demand for water heating among WAPA residential customers within 5 years. The energy demand for Government and Commercial sector buildings is primarily for refrigeration for air conditioning and food storage, water heating, and lighting.