Virgin Islands Energy Office initiative will provide portable backup battery systems to eligible residents as part of a broader strategy to expand resilience, renewable energy, and long-term energy affordability
The Bryan-Roach Administration announced today during the Government House press briefing the launch of the Virgin Islands Resiliency Gateway, or VIRG, a new initiative through the Virgin Islands Energy Office designed to provide portable backup battery systems to medically vulnerable residents whose health and safety can be placed at risk when the power goes out.
Announced by Virgin Islands Energy Office Director Kyle Fleming during today’s briefing, the VIRG program is aimed at helping vulnerable Virgin Islanders maintain essential services during outages by providing portable battery systems that can keep critical household equipment running when the grid is down.
“These are user-friendly, plug-and-play systems that require no installation and can provide immediate support when residents need it most,” Fleming said.
The portable battery systems can be recharged using an included solar panel or a standard wall outlet and are designed to provide clean, silent backup electricity during outages. When fully charged, the units can provide up to a day of backup power for essential needs such as CPAP machines, oxygen concentrators, refrigerators used to store medication, and devices that help residents remain connected to loved ones and emergency information.
“This is a targeted, people-first initiative designed to deliver immediate energy resilience to residents who need it most,” Fleming said. “Across the territory, we know that power outages are not just an inconvenience. They are a matter of health, safety, and quality of life.”
The Virgin Islands Energy Office is procuring 900 portable battery systems, each paired with a 400-watt solar panel, and will work with local vendors in each district to distribute the systems efficiently to eligible participants. The program is being launched in coordination with the Department of Human Services, which is assisting the Energy Office in identifying medically vulnerable, elderly, and disabled residents across the Territory who may qualify to receive the units free of charge.
Governor Albert Bryan Jr. said the program reflects the administration’s commitment to delivering practical support to residents while continuing the larger work of transforming the Territory’s energy future.
“For many Virgin Islanders, a power outage is more than an inconvenience. It can become a serious threat to health, safety, and peace of mind,” Governor Bryan said. “The VIRG program is about protecting the people who are most vulnerable and making sure they have access to backup power when they need it most.”
Governor Bryan said the launch of VIRG is part of a broader administration strategy focused on building a more resilient, renewable, and affordable energy system for the Virgin Islands. That work has included support for battery storage, incentives for electric vehicles, expansion of charging infrastructure, and continued efforts to bring more solar generation onto the grid.
The administration has also advanced the Virgin Islands Battery Energy Storage Program, which helps qualifying residents and businesses offset the cost of battery backup systems, and has supported electric vehicle rebates through the Virgin Islands Energy Office as part of a broader push to reduce dependence on imported fuel.
During today’s briefing, Government House also pointed to the administration’s efforts to modernize the Government of the Virgin Islands vehicle fleet with electric vehicles as part of a long-term strategy to reduce fuel costs and protect taxpayers from the volatility of global oil markets. That strategy has become even more urgent as international conflict, including the war involving Iran, continues to create uncertainty in fuel prices and expose the vulnerability that comes with dependence on imported petroleum.
At the utility level, the administration continues to support the expansion of renewable energy generation and storage as part of its effort to bring cleaner and more affordable power to Virgin Islanders. That includes battery energy storage initiatives and ongoing work to add utility-scale solar farms to the grid, steps the administration has repeatedly identified as central to reducing long-term energy costs and improving system resilience.
Governor Bryan said the administration’s energy strategy is rooted in a simple goal: giving the people of the Virgin Islands a more dependable future.
“Whether we are helping a resident keep medical equipment powered during an outage, supporting households that invest in battery storage, transitioning government vehicles away from gasoline, or expanding solar generation across the Territory, the goal is the same,” Governor Bryan said. “We are working to build an energy future that is more stable, more modern, and more affordable for the people of the Virgin Islands.”
Additional details regarding VIRG eligibility, the application process, and distribution timelines will be announced in the coming weeks.
