VIEO: Virgin Islands Energy Office

06/11/2026

Are you looking at emergency power options that can support the function of critical devices and medical equipment during a blackout? Listen along as VIEO's Acting Director Michael Jaffurs breaks down the VIRG 2.0 program, a money back rebate that helps defray the cost of a portable battery backup system.

For more information visit energy.vi.gov/virg-2-0

23/10/2026

The Virgin Islands Energy Office is expanding access to portable backup power with the launch of the Virgin Islands Resiliency Gateway 2.0 (VIRG 2.0), our new consumer rebate program.

Building on the success of the original VIRG program, which placed nearly 900 portable battery systems in the hands of elderly and medically vulnerable Virgin Islanders, VIRG 2.0 will incentivize the adoption of portable energy resilience available to residents.

Beginning November 2, residents can receive a rebate of $250 per kWh, up to $1,500, against the purchase of an eligible 1–6 kWh portable battery system.

⚡ Keep essential devices powered during outages
🔋 Choose from approved portable battery systems
💰 Receive up to $1,500 toward your purchase
🏠 No permanent installation required

VIRG 2.0 is supported by approximately $360,000 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Energy’s State Energy Program, helping VIEO make device level energy resilience affordable.
Learn more about eligibility, approved batteries and how to apply at energy.vi.gov/VIRG.

08/10/2026

Community Electrical Innovations' first success story!

Embedding resilience into the operations of Community Based Organizations that serve the people of the Virgin Islands is one of the primary drivers of the Community Electrical Innovations grant program. Through the installation of behind the meter renewable energy generation and battery storage technologies, CEI helps these critical institutions reduce their base costs, and harden their operations against intermittent power outages.

CEI participants have also been committed to enroll in the Virgin Islands Battery Energy Storage 2.0 Virtual Power Plant program, enabling them to share the power stored in their batteries with the community in times of need.

CEI is a grant awarded to the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and administered as a subrecipient by the Virgin Islands Energy Office.

07/10/2026

VIEO is looking for qualified contractors to submit bids on two exciting new projects that will greatly expand access to DC fast charging for electric vehicles.

This expansion of VIEO's fast growing network of publicly accessible chargers will not only give drivers more flexibility in how they refuel, but also increase the resilience of the ecosystem by bringing online an option that can operate even when the grid is down. If you're interested in taking advantage of this opportunity, please respond to the bid posted on GVIBUY today!

05/10/2026

Scenes at the Fort Christian Parking Lot. VIEO oversaw the installation of six public electric vehicle chargers at the government owned lot earlier this year.

30/09/2026

The 70 kW solar farm and 500 kWh battery backup system that VIEO is installing at WTJX's Mt. Top television and radio broadcasting facility is designed to withstand the force of a Category 5 Hurricane. Mt. Top represents a critical communications link between the Territory and the mainland, and a vital post storm emergency messaging resource.

VIEO has incorporated lessons learned from past hurricanes into the system's design. And when complete the solar farm will greatly reduce operational costs accrued through electrical expenses, as well as providing a renewable energy backup system that can cover the facilities load demands for 24 hours.

An onsite generator, which is already tied into the facility, can also assist in recharging the 500 kWh battery. Co-locating the two generation sources will greatly improve operational flexibility and resilience.

21/09/2026

This week, Sunrun and Tesla demonstrated what a Virtual Power Plant can become at scale. By coordinating more than 140,000 residential batteries to deliver a record peak output of 580 MW to California’s grid for three hours during a period of high demand.

That matters here in the Virgin Islands.
Through VIEO’s Virtual Power Plant, we are building on the same fundamental idea. Existing residential and commercial batteries installed for site resilience can also become a powerful resource for the entire community when coordinated together.

California shows that VPPs aren’t only solutions for small or struggling grids. They are becoming a legitimate tool for managing peak demand, grid constraints and the changing needs of modern power systems at massive scale.

Read more about the historic dispatch of 580 MW to the California grid at the link below:

Sunrun and Tesla dispatched a record 580 MW from 140,000 home batteries to California’s grid during a heat wave, the largest residential VPP event yet.

21/09/2026

Interested in learning more about the Weatherization Assistance Program? Check out this flyer and see the income eligibility requirements needed to apply, and all the appliances and solutions the program can supply you with free of charge to help make your home more energy efficient.

21/09/2026

VIEO has released RFP, BD-26-270-2702-2271, to be bid on by a prime contractor and/or team of subcontractors focused on installing the following energy efficient equipment in low-income homes in the territory. If you have already applied, then we will be there to install equipment as soon as the RFP is completed. If you have not applied, then please do not miss the opportunity to receive all of these items at no cost

18/09/2026

The VIEO encourages Tesla Powerwall owners on St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John to enroll and help build on the current VPP foundation.

The goal is not simply to create a collection of individual backup batteries, but to connect those resources so they can operate together when the Virgin Islands grid needs them most.

If you have a Tesla Powerwall installed in the U.S. Virgin Islands and are interested in learning more about the VIBES 2.0 VPP and enrolling, click the link below from a mobile device with the Tesla App installed: https://www.tesla.com/dl/enroll?open_enrollment_id=4e653c27-b81c-40f9-9e6d-ad5a5936cbd9