St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands (June 16, 2025) — The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (“WAPA” or “the Authority”) recently marked a major milestone in the territory’s clean energy journey with a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the commissioning of the Hogensborg Solar Farm. The event, held on Friday, June 13 in Estate Hogensborg on St. Croix, underscored WAPA’s dedication to advancing renewable energy and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

WAPA leadership and government officials mark a historic moment as they cut the ribbon at the Hogensborg Solar Farm, officially commissioning the largest utility-scale solar project in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Developed by VIElectron and owned by VIRAPC, the Hogensborg Solar Farm is the third solar installation on St. Croix and the largest utility-scale solar project in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The solar farm comprises 48,210 panels and can produce up to 22.4 megawatts (MW) of power. Excess energy is stored in advanced battery systems designed by Honeywell, improving grid stability and ensuring reliable power delivery during peak demand and outages.

The project represents the fourth utility-scale renewable energy execution WAPA has facilitated, adding to the Authority’s growing renewable energy portfolio and expanding its generating capacity.

“This project is more than a milestone—it’s a movement,” said Karl Knight, CEO of WAPA. “Being able to rely more on indigenous sources of energy and less on costly imported fuels like diesel and propane marks a pivotal shift for WAPA and the Virgin Islands. This solar project demonstrates our dedication to building a cleaner, more reliable energy future—one that empowers our community and protects our environment for generations to come.”

“The Hogensborg Solar Farm represents real progress in our energy transformation and our work to ensure reliable and affordable energy for the people of the Virgin Islands,” said Governor Albert Bryan Jr. “This project moves us closer to a future where we can depend less on expensive, imported fuel and more on clean, local energy. It also reflects our larger effort to transform the Water and Power Authority into a more modern and sustainable utility.”

The commissioning of the Hogensborg Solar Farm complements WAPA’s broader microgrid development strategy, aimed at strengthening grid resilience across the territory. In collaboration with VIElectron, VIRAPC, and Honeywell, the project advances the Virgin Islands’ Vision 2040 goal of reaching 75% renewable energy. As WAPA continues investing in modern infrastructure and sustainable solutions, projects like Hogensborg bring the Virgin Islands closer to a more secure, affordable, and environmentally responsible energy future.

Building on the success of the Hogensborg Solar Farm, WAPA has also commenced development of the Fortuna Solar Farm on St. Thomas. Scheduled for completion in late 2026, the project will feature 94,440 panels and a 25 MW battery storage system to bolster grid stability for the St. Thomas/St. John District.

Watch the live recording of the Hogensborg Solar Farm ribbon-cutting ceremony here.

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