May 12, 2026
ODR and WAPA Execute Contract for New Power Generation
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS – The V.I. Office of Disaster Recovery (ODR), on behalf of the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (WAPA or the Authority), has executed a progressive design-build contract to replace power generation in both the St. Croix and St. Thomas/St. John districts, marking another key step toward modernizing the territory’s electrical grid.
Contractor R-G Engineering/Javelin Gramercy Ventures Joint Venture will replace the existing power generation infrastructure at the Richmond Power Plant in St. Croix and portions of the Randolph Harley Power Plant in St. Thomas, supporting WAPA’s broader strategy to deliver reliable and efficient power generation solutions.
In addition to replacing thermal generation at both plants, ODR and WAPA, working collaboratively with the Contractor, have secured emergency power generation to address service interruptions that have affected the St. Thomas and St. John residents due to frequent generation shortfalls. A total of four new standby units with a total capacity of 10 megawatts have been purchased. Once tested and packaged, they will be shipped to the territory and installed this year.
The new power generation project will be carried out in two key phases. The first phase, preconstruction, will assess the existing facilities and define the scope. It will overlap with the construction phase, which includes the installation of temporary power, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), and the procurement and installation of permanent power solutions for both districts. The construction phase should last approximately 48 months, with substantial completion expected in 2030.
“This project directly addresses longstanding generation challenges across the territory, including aging infrastructure, capacity shortfalls, and service vulnerabilities that have impacted our customers,” said Karl Knight, CEO and Executive Director of the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority. “WAPA is not connected to a national grid, and having sufficient generation capacity in our power plants is essential to providing reliable service to our customers. By replacing Units 14 and 15 at Harley, fully modernizing Richmond from the ground up, and strengthening St. John’s emergency capacity, this investment represents a transformational step for all Virgin Islanders.”
Under the contract, the joint venture firm is responsible for all phases of the project, including design, engineering, procurement, construction, and testing, while also facilitating operator training and ongoing support.
“This contract marks a significant step towards utilizing federal disaster recovery funding to provide reliable power to the people of the Virgin Islands,” said Adrienne L. Williams-Octalien, ODR Director. “Thank you to FEMA for authorizing the prudent replacement of these facilities and for its continued support to execute this critical project.”
The V.I. Office of Disaster Recovery remains committed to supporting the territory through recovery and reconstruction efforts to ensure a resilient and sustainable future.
The Office of Disaster Recovery
«Building a Legacy of Resilience»
