Recent Projects

With tight resources for land and a desire to install renewable energy, the need for a creative design of this 4.1 MW hillside solar farm was an absolute requirement.  Due to limited available capital, the Build Own Operate Transfer model was effectively utilized. The farm will help the utility meet its goal of 60% reduction in fossil fuel use by 2025 while providing clean energy to approximately 1800 households at a much lower energy cost.

WAPA purchased thermal desalinization units in the 1970s. They served the community well and produces some of the best quality water possible by virtue of the process. While the process produced high quality water it had a requirement for low pressure steam that restricted the possibility and options for changing the way power was produced. These units lasted their life expectancy and were significantly deteriorated. As was required by law, a tender was released for the production of water. WAPA received several responses and all of them were for the reverse osmosis technology. The production returned to 100% in reliability and cost was decreased by 45%

Prior to this project WAPA only had sub-transmission, 34.5 kV, throughout the territory. Additionally, St. Croix as the largest by far of the islands in the territory and only one existing substation had a significant need to upgrade, add transmission lines, and add substations. For this to take place WAPA had to upgrade the existing substation in Estate Richmond.

This substation was equipped with state-of-the-art breakers and switch gear that contributed to longer and more efficient operation of the facility.  Safety, security and resiliency were major considerations in the construction of this indoor substation.

Like other Caribbean islands, starting as early as 2008, the situation of 100% dependency on fuel oil had to be immediately addressed and a viable alternative had to be found.  After careful research and review, this utility chose to move forward with Liquid Propane Gas (LPG), a clean-burning alternative energy source for its facilities in the USVI. 

​

The expansive process required intense planning around the design, procurement and installation of the necessary resources for the safe use of propane and to upgrade all controls and systems. Reducing the environmental impact of fuel oil while lowering operating costs, improving air quality and customer cost savings were some of the immediate benefits of this major investment.