Mon Power, Potomac Edison submit plans for 50 MW of West Virginia solar projects

Solar power may soon gain a larger foothold in even the most dedicated of traditional coal country if plans submitted by Mon Power and Potomac Edison this week yield the 50 MW are approved by the Public Service Commission of West Virginia.

The 50 MW would be generated by five separate utility-scale solar energy projects in the companies’ West Virginia service territory. All but one already have sites planned out, including a 26-acre reclaimed ash disposal site in Berkeley County, a 51-acre site by a Mon Power substation in Hancock County, a 95-acre site in Monongalia County, and a 44-acre reclaimed strip mine in Tucker County. Each of these sites is on property owned by either Mon Power or its affiliates.

“Many of our customers have expressed strong interest in solar power in recent years, and we are excited about the opportunity to meet the growing demand for renewable energy in our service territory while supporting West Virginia’s economic development goals,” Jim Myers, president of FirstEnergy’s West Virginia operations, which include subsidiaries Mon Power and Potomac Edison.

Procurement, groundbreaking, and the permitting process for these sites could begin as early as next year if approval is granted. FirstEnergy predicts that swift approval could likewise yield completion dates before the end of 2025.

In each case, Mon Power would build, own and operate the new facilities, though produced energy would be available for purchase by either Mon Power or Potomac Edison customers. These program participants could get the equivalent of one solar renewable credit for each MW hour of energy purchase. The generation cost would be paid for by Mon Power and Potomac Edison customers in West Virginia through a nominal surcharge until all energy credits are purchased.

Between them, the companies supply power to more than 500,000 customers in West Virginia. They have declared the applications as supportive of a 2020 state law that authorized West Virginia’s utilities to own and operate up to 200 MW of renewable generation facilities to meet electricity needs and, potentially, spur new economic development in the region.