ENERGY LIFELINE: Bryan-Roach Administration Launches 'VIRG' Program for Medically Vulnerable Residents
POWERING RESILIENCE: Virgin Islands Energy Office Director Kyle Fleming announces the launch of the Virgin Islands Resiliency Gateway (VIRG) program during a press briefing at Government House in St. Thomas on Monday. The initiative aims to provide 900 portable solar battery systems to medically vulnerable residents across the Territory to ensure critical equipment remains operational during power outages. (Government House photo)
By JOHN McCARTHY / St. Croix Sun Staff Writer
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Recognizing that power outages in the Territory are "more than an inconvenience," the Bryan-Roach Administration has officially launched the Virgin Islands Resiliency Gateway (VIRG).
Announced Monday by Kyle Fleming, Director of the Virgin Islands Energy Office (VIEO), the program will distribute 900 portable backup battery systems paired with solar panels to residents whose health depends on a steady flow of electricity.
Plug-and-Play Resilience
The VIRG initiative focuses on "user-friendly" systems that require zero installation. These portable units can be recharged via a standard wall outlet or the included 400-watt solar panel, providing clean and silent backup power.
According to Fleming, a fully charged unit can provide up to 24 hours of backup power for critical medical needs, including:
CPAP machines and oxygen concentrators.
Refrigerators used for temperature-sensitive medications.
Communication devices to stay connected during emergencies.
Eligibility and Distribution
The Energy Office is coordinating with the Department of Human Services to identify elderly, disabled, and medically vulnerable Virgin Islanders who qualify to receive these units free of charge.
Governor Albert Bryan Jr. noted that while the administration continues the "larger work" of transforming the grid, the VIRG program provides immediate, practical support to those who need it most.
