El Paso Electric Company (EPE), a Texas-based utility, is well-positioned for the new carbon standards proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). EPE will be coal-free by 2016 and has doubled its utility-scale solar portfolio, making this west Texas-based utility a national leader in solar development.

El Paso Electric welcomes the completion and commercial operations of Macho Springs, the largest solar facility in New Mexico. This 50 MW solar facility, along with an additional solar facility that will be the largest in El Paso, Texas (10 MW and completed by the end of the year) will expand total solar generation to 6% of EPE’s dedicated generation resources.

“Our west Texas and southern New Mexico region has the right kind of sun for optimal solar energy production, making this region the ‘goldilocks’ in terms of climate, humidity and heat characteristics that allow us to expand our renewable portfolio with cost-effective technologies and reliable energy resources,” said Tom Shockley, Chief Executive Officer at El Paso Electric. “With over 300 days of sunshine every year, we are in the perfect region for solar energy technologies, which in the long run reduce carbon emissions and provides cleaner air.”

EPE signed a 20-year purchase power agreement (PPA) with Macho Springs Solar, LLC, owned by Southern Company subsidiary Southern Power and Turner Renewable Energy. The facility was built and will be operated by First Solar. Macho Springs is located on a 597-acre site in Luna County, New Mexico, between Hatch and Deming, New Mexico.

“We continue to look for opportunities to add cost-effective solar energy technologies as the price of solar energy becomes more competitive,” adds Shockley. “At the time we signed our agreement with Macho Springs, it was the cheapest price of solar in the market. Our commitment to building a portfolio that includes renewable technologies complements our local, clean burning natural gas units, helping to make overall power in our region more dependable, safer and cleaner.”

Earlier in February 2014, El Paso Electric signed a 30-year PPA with Newman Solar LLC, owned by Colorado-based juwi solar Inc. (JSI), which will build the 10 MW solar energy facility in Northeast El Paso, Texas.

Coal-Free by 2016

El Paso Electric has determined that it is in the best interest of its 395,000 customers not to participate in the operation of the coal-fired Four Corners Power Plant after the plant’s scheduled retirement in July 2016. EPE, which has a 7% interest in the plant, will continue to work with the 93% owners and the Navajo Nation to facilitate their efforts to extend the operation of the plant beyond 2016. EPE will also continue to pursue a sale of its 7% interest in the plant.