Energy is the foundation upon which every modern economy is built. For the U.S. Virgin Islands, transforming our energy system is not only an infrastructure challenge. It is the gateway to economic competitiveness, innovation, and long-term prosperity.
Every major economic transformation in history began with energy. Nations that secured reliable, affordable power became centers of innovation and growth. Today, the U.S. Virgin Islands stands at a similar moment. To build a globally competitive, AI-ready economy, we must first build the energy foundation that powers it.
For decades, our islands have struggled with high electricity costs, aging infrastructure, and grid vulnerability. These challenges are more than technical issues as they directly affect our cost of living, business growth, and ability to attract investment. To compete in the 21st-century global economy, we must move with urgency and strategic vision.
Leveraging Federal Investment to Lead in Energy Innovation
The Virgin Islands has been entrusted with historic federal recovery and infrastructure funding, providing a once-in-a-generation opportunity. These resources can do more than rebuild what existed as they can launch the territory to the forefront of clean, diversified, and resilient energy leadership.
By aligning federal investment with a short-term and long-term energy strategy, the USVI can:
● Modernize and harden the energy grid
● Deploy large-scale renewable power
● Encourage private-sector energy development
● Build a platform for emerging energy technologies
If executed decisively, the Virgin Islands could become a national model for diversified and resilient island energy systems by reducing costs, improving reliability, and enabling new industries to flourish.
A Diversified Energy Portfolio for Stability and Growth
The future of energy in the Virgin Islands must be balanced, diversified, and resilient. Key pillars include:
● Solar and Wind: Harness world-class renewable resources to reduce costs and dependence on imported fuels.
● Battery Storage (Industrial Scale): Ensure stability and reliability during fluctuations in electrical power generation.
● Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as a Bridge: Provide dependable, lower-emission power while renewable capacity scales.
● Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) (long-term): Evaluate next-generation nuclear technology for baseload reliability and hurricane-resilient design.
This diversified approach ensures reliability, reduces price volatility, and positions the territory at the forefront of diversified, clean, and scalable power solutions.
Modernizing the Grid for Reliability and Resilience
Generation is only part of the equation. We must also modernize the transmission and distribution system to support future growth and withstand climate impacts.
Priorities include:
● Grid hardening and undergrounding where feasible
● Smart-grid technology for predictive management and quick restoration
● Microgrids for hospitals, schools, ports, and emergency facilities
This ensures our grid remains stable even in the face of severe storms, which is a critical necessity for our people and for industry.
Energy as the Catalyst for Economic Expansion
A modern energy system is more than utility infrastructure. It is the economic engine that powers every other industry.
Reliable, affordable power enables:
● AI data centers and digital industries
● Advanced manufacturing and biotech facilities
● Cold storage and agricultural expansion
● Tourism resilience and hospitality growth
● Small business development and entrepreneurship
Simply put, energy is the prerequisite for a diversified and thriving economy.
Without dependable power, industries cannot scale. With it, the Virgin Islands becomes a magnet for investment, innovation, and talent.
A Call to Action
We have the opportunity, federal resources and strategic rationale to build an energy system worthy of our future.
Success requires:
● Clear short-term and long-term planning and regulatory alignment
● Public-private partnerships and investment incentives
● Transparent execution and community engagement
● A commitment to a resilient, diversified portfolio
Powering the Future is more than an energy plan, it is the foundation for generational prosperity.
If we seize this moment, the Virgin Islands can become a global model for how small island economies harness diversified, resilient energy systems to drive growth.
If we hesitate, we risk being left behind.
The power to shape our future, literally and figuratively, is in our hands.
This piece is part of the “Virgin Islands at a Crossroads” series, which invites Virgin
Islanders at home and abroad to join the conversation on building a resilient, diversified
future.
Read the first three parts of the series here:
Op-ed: Virgin Islands at a Crossroads: Act Now or Miss the Next Global Economic Wave
— Bernard Dyer is a Virgin Islander in the diaspora, technologist, and strategist with
more than 25 years of public-sector experience, including 17 years with Booz Allen
Hamilton supporting large-scale digital transformation and system consolidation efforts
at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. He is also a monthly co-host on WSTX AM
970 radio’s Community Digest for the last 16 years, where he highlights new ideas and
best practices to help build a more diversified and sustainable Virgin Islands economy.
