The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority Governing Board on Dec. 12 approved a $1.52 million expenditure for the replacement of a transformer at the Richmond Power Plant on St. Croix.
“The decision addresses the need to replace aging infrastructure, as the existing transformer—installed in 1988—is showing significant signs of deterioration,” the public power utility noted.
The transformer, known as T3, "plays a vital role in conditioning power between the power plant and the electrical grid, ensuring stable and reliable electricity delivery across the district. Unlike the transformers commonly found on utility poles, this specialized equipment is essential for high-capacity operations at the plant," it said.
The deteriorating condition of the current transformer "poses a risk to operational reliability, making timely replacement a priority. The board’s swift action enables the Authority to proceed with procurement under terms that ensure the quickest possible delivery," the utility said.
The replacement transformer is expected to arrive by December 2026, significantly sooner than the timelines provided by other suppliers.
The selected vendor’s lead time of approximately one year "offers a clear advantage over alternative options, which quoted delivery windows upwards of two years," the utility said. A Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority press release related to the news did not identify the vendor.
“This approval underscores our dedication to proactively addressing infrastructure needs to ensure reliable power for our customers,” said Karl Knight, CEO and Executive Director of WAPA. “The Board’s decision ensures we can secure the transformer as quickly as possible and mitigate potential risks associated with aging equipment.”
WAPA said it continues to prioritize investments in modernizing its infrastructure to enhance system reliability and support the territory’s energy needs.
