New Mexico’s largest solar energy center set to go online in 2 weeks
The new Buena Vista Energy Center in Chaparral, N.M., the state’s largest solar facility that will serve El Paso Electric customers and be operated by a NextEra Energy Resources LLC subsidiary, is set to go online later this month.
“We believe that we will be fully operational and serving our customers in the next two weeks,” said Jessica Christianson, vice president of sustainability and energy solutions at El Paso Electric, during an April 5 ribbon cutting ceremony for the facility hosted by her company and NextEra Energy Resources.
The new facility will generate up to 120 megawatts (MW) of solar energy, along with 50 MW of battery energy storage, and will generate enough electricity to power roughly 60,000 homes in the El Paso Electric service region.
“Spread over 950+ acres with close to half a million solar panels, it’s New Mexico’s BIGGEST solar farm yet,” El Paso Electric tweeted on Wednesday. “We’re thrilled to lead the charge towards a #CleanEnergyFuture as we continue to #TransformThe EnergyLandscape.”
The solar energy center was developed and will be operated by a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, one of the nation’s largest wholesale generators of electricity with some 27,400 MW of total net generating capacity in 40 states and Canada.
“We are pleased to work with El Paso Electric to bring online New Mexico’s newest and largest solar energy center,” said J.D. Rulien, director of development at NextEra Energy Resources, during the event.
The facility will help deliver a more affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy mix for its customers, according to El Paso Electric, which is engaged in generation, transmission, and distribution service to power approximately 460,000 customers in the Rio Grande valley in west Texas and southern New Mexico.
Kelly Tomblin, president and CEO of El Paso Electric, pointed out during the ceremony that the company in 2021 committed to its customers that it would transform the energy landscape by 2023.
“And that continues today,” Tomblin told attendees. “This powerful relationship alongside NextEra Energy Resources demonstrates the shared vision of El Paso Electric of powering the next hundred years of growth, innovation, and economic vibrancy.”
Construction of the solar energy center site provided an economic boost to Otero County, N.M., and is poised to provide more tax revenue to the county, as well, including improvements to local roads, schools, and services.
“This solar energy center will generate low-cost, clean energy and provide millions of dollars in additional tax revenue for the county over the next 30 years,” said Rulien.
Among those who joined company officials during the ribbon cutting ceremony were New Mexico State Rep. Willie Madrid, a Democrat who represents District 53; Stephanie Garcia Richard, commissioner of public lands for the New Mexico State Land Office; and Terry Mount, Dona Ana Community College professor and commercial technologies department chair.
Garcia Richard tweeted on Wednesday that the facility “is the largest solar array ever constructed on state land & will generate $12 million in revenue for our schools!”
Other local officials commended the companies on their success, including El Paso City Council members Isabel Salcido, who represents District 5, and Art Fierro, who represents District 6.
“Congratulations to @ElPasoElectric and NextEra Energy on this amazing step toward renewable energy,” Fierro tweeted yesterday. “EP Electric has committed to producing 80% of its power through carbon-free energy sources by 2035.”
