The farm at full capacity.
News

Richard Branson-Owned Energy Company Buys St Croix Solar Farm

By: Caribbean Journal Staff - August 7, 2018 - 1:59 pm

By the Caribbean Journal staff

BMR Energy, which was purchased by Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group in 2016, has purchased a major solar farm in the Caribbean.

The St Croix facility, which was owned by NRG Energy, was damaged during Hurricane Maria last year.

The company will take over the power purchase agreement and restoration efforts at the solar farm.

The project has been running at less than 45 percent capacity for nearly a year, according to BMR.

“BMR Energy is an expert in developing clean energy – the team also acts as a long-term partner and is working to make a huge difference in the region,” said Richard Branson, founder at Virgin Group. “The world needs to find ways to introduce more resilient clean energy. The Caribbean has an abundance of clean energy sources, and BMR are taking great strides towards helping create zero-carbon energy supplies for years to come.”

The US Virgin Islands solar farm is the third market for BMR, which already has green projects in both Jamaica and Guatemala.

“Restoring the solar facility in Spanish Town, St. Croix, to full capacity generation is core to our mission of supporting clean energy infrastructure in the Caribbean and Latin America,” said Bruce Levy, CEO of BMR Energy. “This acquisition is an opportunity to show how to build for stronger hurricane resiliency and offer greater value to the region. As the prolonged restoration in these hurricane-devastated areas highlights – with Puerto Rico being the most extreme example – we must remain committed to rebuilding our infrastructure right and successfully maintaining projects through long-term ownership.”

When restored to full energy-generating capacity, the solar farm will power nearly 1,600 homes on St Croix.

The company said it expects to complete the restoration by October.

— CJ

Popular Posts dominica fort young views

In Dominica, an All-Inclusive That Comes With the Whole Island 

All-inclusive has been changing. That’s not a secret. It’s the biggest thing in travel right now, particularly in the Caribbean, where travelers want more. But they don’t just want the unlimited food and beverage. They want the experience. They want […]


The Caribbean's Greenest Hotels for 2025, From Solar-Powered Resorts in Puerto Rico to Adventure Lodges in The Bahamas

Aruba Antigua Resorts Romantic

The term “green” has never been more important, but it’s also never been a broader term. What once merely meant a degree of environmental focus, has now expanded to encompass everything from renewable energy to sustainability to community tourism. That’s […]


Belize Is the Caribbean’s Happiest Country 

rows of buildings on the beach in belize

Belize has come out on top of the Caribbean as the region’s happiest country, according to the World Happiness Report, Caribbean Journal has learned.  The Caribbean country on the coast of Central America was ranked 25th overall in the world, […]


Related Posts pumpkin bluff

Caribbean Photo of the Week: Pumpkin Bluff Beach, North Caicos

The latest Caribbean Photo comes from Caribbean Journal reader Harry Ramnath, who sent in this lovely shot of Pumpkin Bluff Beach on North Caicos in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Have you taken a great photo in the Caribbean? Send […]


This New Hotel Summit in Antigua Is Changing How Caribbean Resorts Drive Bookings

resorts direct bookings

In a pivotal move to help regional hoteliers regain control of their revenue streams, the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association is launching the inaugural Direct Booking Summit – Caribbean Edition this May in Antigua.  The one-day business event, set for […]


The "Bolongo Effect": This USVI All-Inclusive Resort Has an Iconic Bar and the Heart of St Thomas 

st thomas all-inclusive resort pool

You come for the rum punch. You stay for the Bolongo Effect.  And the sound of the waves. And the bartender who knows your name before you’ve even unpacked. And the rum treasure hunt. And the sunsets at Iggies. And […]