EL PASO, Texas & TEMPE, Ariz. & SANTA FE, N.M.--(BUSINESS
WIRE)--El Paso Electric Power, The New Mexico State Land Office and
First Solar, Inc announced today that construction has commenced on what
will be the state’s largest solar power plant, located on State Trust
Land near Deming in Luna County.
While in the construction phase, the Macho Springs Solar Project will
provide approximately 300 jobs. Construction is expected to be completed
by May of 2014, and the active power plant will include three
operational and maintenance jobs.
“This is a milestone for not only El Paso Electric, but our customers
and this region,” said Tom Shockley, El Paso Electric Chief Executive
Officer. “We look forward to the continued growth of this technology in a
cost effective manner.”
“This solar power project will provide clean, efficient solar power for
use by New Mexicans,” said New Mexico State Land Commissioner Ray
Powell. “Also, it benefits the local and regional economy include
millions of dollars in direct and indirect economic benefits, and about
300 temporary construction jobs, while at the same time earning money
for our public schools, universities, special schools, and hospitals.”
Under a 20-year power purchase agreement between El Paso Electric and
First Solar, the 50MWac project will generate enough clean energy to
power more than 18,000 average customer homes in the El Paso Electric
service territory. The project will displace more than 40,000 metric
tons of CO2, the equivalent of taking 7,500 cars off the road, and will
displace more than 340,000 metric tons of water consumption annually.
“First Solar values the support and leadership provided by El Paso
Electric and the New Mexico State Land Office for this project,” said
Michael Hatfield, First Solar Director of Project Development. “The
Macho Springs Solar Plant will be an exciting addition to the region’s
renewable energy resources.”
The project represents a system resource for El Paso Electric Company as
the Company will purchase the entire output power from the Macho
Springs solar power project to serve its New Mexico and Texas service
territory. This project was secured by El Paso Electric through an
all-source competitive Request for Proposal process conducted in 2011.
The project will operate on a commercial lease from the State Land
Office on about 500 acres of land at Macho Springs, near Deming. First
Solar also has an interconnection agreement with El Paso Electric.
