El Paso Electric Company signs PPA for 50 MW-AC Macho Springs PV project in New Mexico
El Paso Electric Company (EPE, El Paso, Texas, U.S.) has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Element Power (London, U.K.) for the output of the company's 50 MW-AC Macho Springs Solar Project in the U.S. state of New Mexico.
The PPA is subject to approval by the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission. Element Power plans to begin construction of the plant in 2013 and complete it in 2014.
"EPE remains at the forefront in advancing renewable energy, and El Paso Electric has taken the lead in the region in acquiring competitive solar energy resources for its customers," said EPE Senior VP of Corporate Planning and Development Rocky Miracle.
"El Paso Electric is committed to being a leader in the solar industry and will continue to evaluate competitive-based opportunities that will expand its renewable energy portfolio mix. In addition, EPE has one of the smallest carbon footprints of any investor-owned utility in the United States."
Project located on New Mexico state lands
EPE selected the Macho Springs Project from a competitive all-sources request for proposals. The plant will be located near Deming, New Mexico on land leased from the New Mexico State Land Office.
The utility notes that with the project, electricity from PV plants that it owns and PV power purchase agreements represent over 5.5% of the company's dedicated generating capacity, one of the highest percentages of any private utility in the United States.
EPE to add natural gas capacity to accommodate renewables
EPE is additionally adding five new 88 MW LMS 100 natural gas turbines to its generation capacity over the next five years, to provide operational flexibility to accommodate the greater integration of renewable energy sources.
The first LMS unit is located at the Rio Grande plant in New Mexico, and additional units are planned for Far East El Paso.
2012-11-16 | Courtesy: El Paso Electric | solarserver.com © Heindl Server GmbH
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