Virgin Islands Unplugging Ceremony Signals a New Era for Climate-Smart Coral Restoration

The Unplugging Ceremony hosted by The Nature Conservancy Virgin Islands Program on Sunday April 12, 2026, at TNC’s Coral Innovation Hub at Estate Little Princess on St Croix, signals a new model for powering coral restoration facilities, not just in the Caribbean, but globally.  

This is the view expressed by Jessica Ward, TNC Virgin Islands Program Director as she delivered remarks at Sunday’s Unplugging Ceremony which unveiled a sign to celebrate the installation of a 164-panel solar system that is now providing more than 50% of the energy needed to power the Coral Innovation Hub. “Traditionally, restoring reefs has relied on fossil-fuel-based power, contributing to the very problem we are trying to solve,” Ward, an experienced coral scientist, said. “By transitioning to solar energy, we are intentionally breaking that cycle, aligning our operations with our mission.” 

Ward explained that while coral restoration is essential, it is also a very energy-intensive activity, requiring reliable power for life-support systems, research, and monitoring. She said the transition to solar power “demonstrates how we can adapt to climate realities while continuing the urgent work of reef restoration, using clean energy, and nature-based solutions that work together to protect reefs for future generations.” 

Darren Vanterpool, Virgin Islands Regional Manager for Banco Popular, one of the funders of the solar installation, said Popular views the solar-powered coral restoration initiative as key to TNC’s efforts to achieve its goal of reducing its carbon emission footprint by 2030. The Anegada-born banker explained that the solar initiative sets up TNC as a model, and also “aligns with the plans of the Government of the US Virgin Islands and allows us [Popular] to support the clean energy goals of TNC.” 

Vanterpool shared that Popular’s commitment to sustainability and protecting the environment is not a trend, but rather “it has been a long-term responsibility...deeply rooted in our history and our vision for the future.” He praised Popular’s partnership with TNC and said TNC’s leadership and expertise in conservation stewardship have turned Popular’s commitment into measurable impact. 

On the theme of stewardship, Honorable Tregenza A. Roach, Lieutenant Governor of the United States Virgin Islands, expressed that it is wonderful that TNC and other organizations are considering their responsibility and stewardship of the land and resources and coming up with ways to do things better and more in harmony with nature. “I really think the recognition of severing the power generation from the problem of carbon emissions and other impacts on our climate is a significant and important one to celebrate,” the Lt. Governor shared with Virgin Islanders gathered for the Unplugging Ceremony.   

Pointing to the historic windmill located at Estate Little Princess and others like it that dot St Croix’s landscape, Lt. Governor Roach says these windmills are evidence that renewable and alternative sources of energy were once part of Caribbean society and generated power for sugar production.  

“It is an advancement and at the same time a reflection on what we once did to utilize the forces of nature,” he concluded. 

“Places like Estate Little Princess hold deep meaning, not only for their ecological value, but for the cultural and spiritual connections they carry for our Crucian history,” explained Frandelle Gerard.

Executive Director of the Crucian Heritage and Nature Tourism and also the Vice-Chair of TNC Caribbean Board of Trustees. “By integrating renewable energy into the coral restoration work at the Coral Innovation Hub, we are honoring that legacy while building a future that is sustainable, just, and rooted in respect for both people and nature.”

The ceremony, which concluded with the unveiling of a sign to mark the significant milestone, took place during Sunday’s Coral Conservation Festival that also signaled the start of Coral Reef Week in the US Virgin Islands. The unveiling party included Kemit Sweeney, Aquaculture Associate; Rob Brumbaugh, Executive Director, TNC Caribbean Division; Frandelle Gerard, Vice-Chair, TNC Caribbean Board of Trustees; Jessica Ward, TNC Virgin Islands Program Director; Honorable Tregenza A. Roach, Lieutenant Governor of the United States Virgin Islands; Darren Vanterpool, Virgin Islands Regional Manager, Banco Popular; and Rob Fairchild, Representative of ProSolar. 

The Nature Conservancy Caribbean Division acknowledges the contribution of the following partners of the VI Coral Program and funders of the solar installation project: TNC in Rhode Island, Popular, Honda, NOAA, the Virgin Islands’ Governor’s Office, the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, the Energy Office, and the National Park Service.