Origis Energy and the Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association have announced that the Escalante Solar PV plant has begun commercial operation. This project, located on the former site of the 253 MWac Escalante coal-fired power plant near Grants, New Mexico, closed in 2020, began generating clean energy on June 1, 2024.
Duane Highley, Tri-State’s chief executive officer, expressed his gratitude to Origis Energy for its dedication to the development of the project. “Escalante Solar is helping us achieve 50% clean energy by 2025, exceeding the goals of the New Mexico Energy Transition Act. New Mexico Energy Transition Act five years ahead of schedule“Highley noted.
Photovoltaic plant will provide power for thousands of homes
Guy Vanderhaegen, CEO of Origis Energy, noted that the completion of each project is cause for celebration.“We are delighted to provide affordable, renewable electricity to Tri-State members, advancing their decarbonization goals,” Vanderhaegen said.
Escalante Solar, with a capacity of 200 MWac, now generates enough energy to power approximately 63,000 homes. This power is distributed to 11 electric cooperatives in New Mexico through a power purchase agreement with Origis Energy as part of the company’s historic Tri-State Responsible Energy Plan .
Robert E. Castillo, executive director of Continental Divide Electric Cooperative, underscored the economic importance of the project to McKinley County and the local school district, which will receive approximately $7.1 million and $2.4 million in taxes, respectively. Castillo thanked Tri-State and its partners for bringing Escalante Solar to the region.
Impact of the solar project in New Mexico
U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich praised the project, saying it builds on New Mexico’s tradition of powering the country with clean, affordable electricity.“This solar project connects more families to clean energy and generates economic opportunity for the region,” Heinrich said.
Albuquerque-based Gridworks provided construction services, employing about 400 people. Origis Energy Services will be responsible for long-term maintenance, generating between 4 and 6 permanent jobs at the site. The plant uses approximately 500,000 solar panels from Array Technologies, also of Albuquerque.
Origis acquired the rights to the project from TurningPoint Energy in 2021. State Representative Patty Lundstrom highlighted the investment in McKinley County and the community spirit of Origis and Tri-State. Kevin Bassalleck, president of Gridworks, and Kevin Hostetler, CEO of Array Technologies, were enthusiastic about the economic and environmental impact of the project. Both stressed the importance of collaboration to move towards a cleaner and more sustainable future.
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Source and photo: origisenergy
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