NextEra Energy to build largest solar facility in Arkansas
NextEra Energy Resources and Entergy Arkansas have teamed up to build the largest utility-scale solar energy project in Arkansas – the Chicot Solar Energy Center.
“We are pleased that Entergy Arkansas and NextEra Energy Resources have partnered together to bring more solar power to the state,” Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson said. “Utility-scale solar keeps electric rates low, and the clean, renewable energy it provides can be a catalyst for economic growth. This project is great for Southeast Arkansas and is yet another reason our future looks bright in the Natural State.”
The Chicot Solar Energy Center will be built on 825 acres near Lake Village in Chicot County. The facility will feature approximately 350,000 photovoltaic solar panels and will have a capacity to generate 100 megawatts of electricity. NextEra Energy Resources is developing the project, and the energy will serve Entergy Arkansas customers under a 20-year power purchase agreement.
“Entergy Arkansas is already the largest solar provider in the state, and this project allows us to increase what we can provide for our customers,” Laura Landreaux, president and CEO of Entergy Arkansas, said. “Large-scale, universal solar allows us to provide the benefits of renewable energy to all of our 700,000 customers at an economic price.”
The facility, which will take 11 months to complete, will create about 150 jobs during the construction phase. Chicot Solar Energy Center is expected to generate nearly $7 million in additional revenue for Chicot County, with much of that funding going to help Chicot County Public Schools.
“This project will bring good jobs, tax benefits and affordable, renewable energy to the state for decades to come,” John Ketchum, president and CEO of NextEra Energy Resources, said. “We are pleased to continue to work with our partners at Entergy Arkansas to bring economic, renewable energy to customers and introduce another universal solar project of this scale in Arkansas.”
