US-based PV company NRG Energy, Inc. has obtained a 4MW PV facility on the island of St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands from Toshiba International Corporation.
Once the project – known as the Spanish Town Estate Solar Project – is completed, power generated from the facility will be sold to the US Virgin Island Water and Power Authority (WAPA) through a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA).
St. Croix is a prime spot for PV installations, as the island receives around 12 hours of sunlight per week.
Construction on the plant began in April 2014 and is expected to produce enough energy to power over 1,500 homes. The project will create around 100 jobs during construction and will add about US$3 million into the local economy. NRG will serve as the sole owner of the plant while Toshiba will provide engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services.
Tom Doyle, president of NRG’s renewable energy business unit, said: “We are extremely excited to partner with WAPA in paving the road for the development of this and other renewable energy capacity on St. Croix. Not only is solar cost-competitive here, but it provides clean, emission-free power, helping to ensure that the pristine beauty of the island is not compromised by the economic costs and detrimental effects of importing and using fossil fuels. In addition, Toshiba has significant experience working on St. Croix and we look forward to building a long lasting relationship with both WAPA and continuing our interaction with Toshiba.”
The plant will help the Islands reach their goal of reducing fossil fuel based energy consumption by 60% over the next 10 years.