Government signs $845,530 contract to link hospital
On 12 January 2026 the Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency (RDA), working in support of the Government of the Virgin Islands, signed a $845,530.76 contract with Barry’s Electrical Services Ltd. to design and install generator connectivity at the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital. The 20-week project will decommission two ageing generators and reconfigure the Major Peebles Wing and Annex to the main hospital generator plant, creating a unified system officials say will improve reliability and protect services such as dialysis.
The Government of the Virgin Islands and the Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) took a formal step to strengthen hospital power on 12 January 2026 when the RDA signed a contract with Barry’s Electrical Services Ltd. for design and installation services at the Dr.
The contract, signed for $845,530.76, was reported by Guavaberry and detailed in a Government press release; the signing was first reported by VINO. Under the scope of works, Barry’s will decommission and remove two ageing generators and reconfigure and connect the Major Peebles Wing (previously referred to as the Old Peebles Hospital) and the Annex buildings to the existing generator plant at the main hospital.
Once finished, the whole hospital campus will be able to run from a unified generator system, which officials say will improve efficiency, reliability and emergency readiness (Government of the Virgin Islands press release). The project is scheduled to run for 20 weeks. Government and RDA officials said Barry’s Electrical and the RDA will jointly oversee implementation and scheduling, with the aim of delivering the works on time and within budget and reducing power interruptions at the territory’s main public hospital (Government press release; Guavaberry).
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Honourable Natalio D. In remarks recorded in the Government press release he said, "My Government continues to prioritize the continued strengthening of our nation’s healthcare infrastructure. This morning we take another step forward with a project that is guaranteed to enhance the reliability and overall quality of service at our main public hospital." At the signing, Premier Wheatley also acknowledged the work had been expected to finish by the end of 2025 but was delayed by technical challenges, a detail first reported by VINO.
Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Vincent Wheatley, highlighted direct patient-care benefits and expressed confidence in the contractor. The Government release quoted him saying the works "will ensure all services, particularly dialysis services, continue six days a week by ensuring all buildings are connected to the main generator system.
Early morning calls on power outages will be a thing of the past." RDA Chief Executive Officer Anthony McMaster emphasised the collaboration and capacity-building aspects of the project, praising the contractor’s generational transfer of skills and saying the work will build relationships and expertise across entities. "It is encouraging to see Mr.
Barry passing the baton and preparing the next generation to take the lead," Mr. Speaking for Barry’s Electrical Services, Managing Director Ronson Barry thanked officials for the opportunity and pointed to the company’s recent public- and private-sector projects such as the Iris O’Neal Medical Centre and the Marine Base.
BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) Chairman Ron Potter framed the contract as part of broader hospital and clinic upgrades and thanked the RDA for partnering on capital projects until financing is secured (Government release; Guavaberry). Guavaberry’s account of the signing added that Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Development Ms.
Tasha Bertie and BVIHSA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Officials say the project represents ongoing collaboration between the Government, the RDA and key sector partners to enhance critical infrastructure and safeguard essential public services. If completed on schedule, the unified generator system is expected to reduce disruptive outages, improve emergency readiness and protect continuous delivery of vital services such as dialysis across the hospital campus, a priority repeatedly stressed by health officials at the signing.
Primary source: VINO