Wapa

WAPA Pursues Five Refurbished Generators as Factory-New Units Remain Years Away

The V.I. Water and Power Authority is pursuing five refurbished generators with a combined capacity of approximately 45 megawatts to replace leased generation on St. Croix and expand capacity on St. Thomas, while factory-new equipment remains years away, according to CEO Karl Knight. Mr. Knight outlined the plan during the Public Services Commission’s October 13 meeting, identifying two approximately 9-megawatt units for the St. Thomas-St. John district and three for St. Croix. The generators are Mars 90 gas turbines manufactured by Solar Turbines, a Caterpillar subsidiary. The two units intended for the Harley power plant on St. Thomas would provide approximately 18 megawatts. The three allocated to St. Croix would provide approximately 27 megawatts and allow WAPA to displace generation it currently leases, Mr. Knight said. Although WAPA refers to the acquisition as temporary power, the refurbished units are expected to remain in its fleet alongside the factory-new generators plann...