Origis energy and Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association have completed construction and achieved commercial operation of Escalante Solar, a 200 MW PV project built on the site of the former 253 MW project.ACthe coal-fired Escalante Station near Grants, New Mexico, which was retired in 2020.
The 200 MW Escalante Solar project became commercially operational and began producing power on June 1. Origis Energy
“Escalante Solar will help all of our members achieve 50% clean energy by 2025 while meeting New Mexico’s Energy Transition Act requirements five years ahead of schedule,” said Tri-State CEO Duane Highley. “We thank Origis Energy for their work to successfully develop Escalante Solar, and we greatly appreciate their commitment to the local community.”
Escalante Solar now provides enough renewable energy to power an estimated 63,000 homes directly to Tri-State members, including 11 New Mexico electric cooperative members, under a power purchase agreement with Origis Energy. The project was announced in 2020 as part of Tri-State’s Responsible Energy Plan and is located in the service area of Tri-State member Continental Divide Electric Cooperative. In 2021, Origis acquired the development rights for the project from TurningPoint Energy, which originally developed it. It is the largest solar project in the Tri-State generation portfolio.
“The addition of a new tax base for McKinley County and our local school district is certainly beneficial, and we appreciate Tri-State and the project partners for bringing Escalante Solar to our region,” said Robert E. Castillo, CEO of Continental Divide Electric Cooperative and general manager.
The project will pay approximately $7,100,000 in taxes to the county and $2,400,000 in taxes to the school district over its lifetime.
Gridworks, headquartered in Albuquerque, provided construction services for the project and employed an estimated 400 people at the time. Origis Energy Services will provide long-term operations and maintenance services for the project, creating approximately four to six jobs on site. Approximately 500,000 Boviet solar panels were used in the project. Array Technologies supplied solar tracking systems and solutions.
“Any time a project is completed and commercially operated it is a cause for celebration,” said Guy Vanderhaegen, executive chairman of Origis Energy. “We are extremely pleased to bring affordable, reliable, renewable electricity to Tri-State members, which will help achieve Tri-State’s goals to reduce carbon emissions.”
News item from Origis Energy