PNM Resources to purchase 100 megawatts of solar to power Facebook data center
PNM Resources recently announced that its New Mexico utility, PNM, will purchase 100 megawatts (MW) of solar generation from NM Renewable Development, LLC (NMRD) to continue serving the Facebook data center in New Mexico with 100 percent renewable energy.
The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (NMPRC) approved the purchase last week.
“Opportunities for solar energy are abundant in New Mexico, and Facebook’s growth allows us to demonstrate our commitment to making our state a sustainable energy leader,” Pat Vincent-Collawn, chairman, president and CEO of PNM Resources, said. “We are proud to support Facebook’s presence in New Mexico.”
NMRD, a joint venture between subsidiaries of PNM Resources and American Electric Power, will construct two 50 MW solar photovoltaic generation facilities in New Mexico. The first facility is expected to be operational by the end of 2019, and the second is expected to be operational in June 2020. Each facility is expected to result in approximately $70 million of investment in New Mexico and create approximately 200 construction jobs.
“With these two new projects, we have worked with PNM to bring 396 megawatts of new wind and solar projects that will contribute to a greener grid and help bring more renewable energy and investment to New Mexico,” Facebook Head of Global Energy Bobby Hollis said. “We appreciate New Mexico’s supportive environment that has enabled us to procure this amount of renewable energy so quickly.”
Solar and wind projects constructed in New Mexico to serve Facebook are expected to total approximately $800 million of investment and create over 1,300 construction and permanent jobs. The projects represent significant economic development in Valencia, Bernalillo, Quay, Torrance, Cibola, and Sandoval counties.
The agreements are subject to approval by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
