ST. CROIX — Karl Knight shared his vision today in his office at Government House for a thriving Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority inclusive of a decentralized utility powered by propane, solar, and wind that supports energy-independent customers.
Knight discussed his desire to lead the Authority following an announcement earlier in the day during a WAPA board meeting that he was appointed as the new CEO and executive director effective Monday.
A former WAPA employee and director of the VI Energy Office from May 2011 to January 2015, Knight served on the WAPA board in his capacity as VIEO director. He has been Governor Albert Bryan Jr.’s chief of staff since the governor took office in 2019. He will fill the role as WAPA CEO following the resignation of Andrew Smith, who led the Authority for two and a half years until June 30.
Knight, who was policy advisor from 2007 to 2011 to then-Governor John de Jongh Jr., pointed out his career started at WAPA. He began his seven-and-a-half-year journey at the Authority as a civil engineer in 1997 before becoming strategic planning manager in 2001.
“I’m really excited because at the end of the day, WAPA made a small investment in me over 30 years ago — $60,000, four-year scholarship with the intention that I would be a contributing member of the team,” he said. “32 years later, I’m really excited to be in a position to give them a return on that investment.”
After engaging with WAPA as the governor’s chief of staff throughout the past 10 months, Knight said he helped navigate through the Authority’s water crisis and subsequent electrical crisis that led to the governor declaring a state of emergency on two occasions. He noted he has been part of the governor’s WAPA task force and incident command.
“It just became natural that rather than waiting for Superman to come and save us, that someone that has knowledge of the system, that has knowledge of the company, that has knowledge of the current situation ought to step in and try and steer and navigate through these troubled waters,” he said. “So, it just feels to me that it’s my career coming full circle.”
As he pushes WAPA forward, Knight said every Virgin Islander should have choices. He pointed out renewable energy and battery backup systems are becoming affordable, stressing a desire to partner with the Energy Office on solar loans.
“I look forward to a future where energy production is fairly decentralized, and what I want to put a lot of investment into is maintaining the transmission and distribution system that can wield that power where it needs to go to who needs to get it and do so as efficiently and affordably as possible,” he said. “That’s ultimately what I think is the utility of the future. I want to help consumers to help themselves be energy independent and play our role in supporting that transformation.”
While discussing a decentralized power grid, Knight pointed out three more solar farms are planned for St. Croix in addition to the existing one along the Melvin H. Evans Highway in Estate Spanish Town. He noted plans for two more solar farms on St. Thomas in addition to the one in Estate Donoe. He discussed plans for wind farms on St. Croix and St. Thomas, as well as his vision for community solar projects and micro-grid projects in addition to residential rooftop solar projects.
“We're looking at a future where the source of energy is no longer just the Randolph Harley Power Plant or the Richmond Power Plant,” he said, pointing out additional sources of energy can help reduce production costs. “Wherever the cheapest power is at that point in time, that’s the power we want to sell to the customer.”
Knight said he wants to be a bridge to what WAPA used to be, what WAPA is, and what WAPA needs to become. He said the model for municipal utilities is changing, noting there is more focus on working closely with customers to meet their needs. He said he wants to make sure the Authority is changing with the times. As he prepares to meet the challenge ahead, he said he is going to need three things from the community — prayers, patience, and advice.
“I do think there’s a path forward and we’re going to get to that path, but I just need the cooperation of the entire community as we get there,” he said. “We’re in this together. I’m going to tap on every single resource that the Virgin Islands can muster to get this done. If you have something to offer that would be helpful, I’m 100% interested in hearing it because it’s going to take a collective effort to save our power and water utility.”
