Mississippi’s largest solar power plant enters operation

Mississippi Power and D. E. Shaw Renewable Investments, LLC (DESRI) recently announced that their
52-megawatt (MW) solar generating facility located near Sumrall, Mississippi, the largest solar plant in the state, entered operation.

The plant consists of 220,000 solar panels and sits of nearly 600 acres in Lamar County.

“DESRI is thrilled to see this project reach completion,” DESRI CEO Bryan Martin said. “We appreciate the hard work of our partners at Mississippi Power and DEPCOM Power, as well as the support of our lenders and investors, in reaching this critical milestone. DESRI is committed to the continued growth of our renewable energy generation portfolio so we can provide more U.S. homes and businesses with clean energy.”

DEPCOM Power built the facility while also providing operations and maintenance services for the plant. The electricity generated at the Sumrall plant will be delivered to the Mississippi Power wholesale grid. The energy and renewable energy credits the project earns may be used to provide customers with renewable energy, for future renewable energy programs or be sold at wholesale to third parties.

“DEPCOM Power is proud to be part of Mississippi’s clean energy evolution and to deliver a high velocity, state-of-the-art solar plant for our customers,” Byron Lamon, DEPCOM Power project manager, said. “Thanks to the commitment of DESRI and Mississippi Power to this project, we have been able to provide corporate donations to deserving Lamar County community outreach programs and help generate more 360 local jobs.”

The companies will hold an official site dedication at the facility on July 7.