NRG Energy, a US solar company has acquired a 4MW Spanish Town Estate Solar project on the island of St. Croix from Toshiba.
St. Croix Island receives abundant sunlight 12 hours a day, throughout the year. This is an extension program of the NRG’s ongoing solar projects in Haiti and St. John of the Caribbean islands and a micro-grid installation in Necker Island.
Under a 25-year power purchase agreement, the power will be sold to the U.S. Virgin Island Water and Power Authority (WAPA). Through this project, the USVI can achieve a renewable energy target by reducing fossil fuel consumption by 60 percent over the next 10 years.
The Spanish Town Estate Solar project, which began construction in 2014, is expected to generate sufficient electricity to power 1,500 homes. This solar facility does not operate on fuel and use minimal water.
After acquisition, NRG will be the sole owner of the facility and Toshiba will provide engineering, procurement and construction support. It is expected to create 100 direct and indirect jobs during construction and pump in around $3 million into the local economy.
Tom Doyle, president, NRG, stated, “Not only is solar cost-competitive, but it provides clean, emission-free power, helping to ensure that the beauty of the island is not compromised by the economic costs and detrimental effects of importing and using fossil fuels. Toshiba has significant experience working on St. Croix and we are building a long term relationship with both WAPA and Toshiba.”
WAPA will get the benefit of NRG’s power providing technology and plant operating experience, said Mark Lonkevych, manager, Business Unit, Toshiba.
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