El Paso Electric to generate 370 MW of capacity
El Paso Electric will generate 50 additional megawatts (MW) of capacity by 2022 and 320 MW by 2023 for a total of 370 MW.
The energy mix will include solar, battery storage, and natural gas. Specifically, following the issuance of a Request for Proposals (RFP), the company purchased 200 megawatts (MW) of utility-scale solar resources, 100 MW of battery storage, and the construction of a 226 MW natural gas combustion turbine generating unit at its Newman Power Station in northeast El Paso.
The selected proposals are subject to the obtaining the necessary permits and approvals by the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission.
The operational date for the gas turbine is expected to be 2023 at a predicted cost of $143 million. Further, El Paso Electric expects to pursue the purchase of 50 to 150 MW of wind and solar generated power to provide for fuel diversity and energy cost savings.
“These technologies provide a mix of carbon-free renewable and clean-burning natural gas generation that will enable us to meet the growing need for power in our region in a safe, clean, reliable, and cost-effective manner,” Mary Kipp, El Paso Electric president and CEO, said. “This balanced combination of resources will work with our existing energy portfolio as we move to retire aging, less efficient plants while continuing to meet our customers’ changing energy needs.”
This initiative underscores the company’s strategic goal to remain at the forefront of advancing renewable energy and expanding its overall energy portfolio.
El Paso Electric is a regional electric utility providing service to approximately 424,000 retail and wholesale customers in west Texas and southern New Mexico.
