PNM Solar Direct partners break ground on 50 MW solar facility in New Mexico

The Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) and its partners virtually celebrated the groundbreaking of a 50 MW solar facility in the state, slated to become the third-largest solar facility on tribal lands and the first on land owned by the Jicarilla Apache Nation.

“Today’s groundbreaking highlights New Mexico’s solar energy potential and celebrates the remarkable partnership formed in pursuit of a common goal,” Pat Vincent-Collawn, PNM Resources’ chairman, president and CEO, said. “As PNM takes another step forward toward its goal to deliver emissions-free energy, we commend the Jicarilla Apache Nation, Albuquerque Mayor Keller, Western New Mexico University and our other partners in the PNM Solar Direct program for building new economic opportunities and moving New Mexico forward as a clean energy leader.”

The PNM Solar Direct program is a clean energy focused program meant to allow customers to tap utility-scale solar pricing and avoid up-front investments required to build and operate individual customer-sited facilities. It also uses third party energy developers to help achieve the lowest cost possible for transitioning to solar energy. All told, it brings together participants from local governments, tribes, academic institutions, and large private customers.

While the new 50 MW facility represents a hefty step on the road to a robust renewable portfolio, it is only one of many steps underway. Currently, PNM offers 658 MW of renewable capacity to its New Mexico customers but intends to grow capacity to 2,015 MW by 2023. Further, it intends all its energy offerings to be emissions free by 2040. By contrast, the state will require renewable portfolio standards to reach only 80 percent as of 2040.