The Mississippi Public Service Commission (PSC) has awarded three large-scale solar power projects, totaling 105MW, on November 11 to the Mississippi Power. Mississippi Power will build the three projects in collaboration with three solar energy companies and the U.S. Navy.
The three projects include:
- Mississippi Power and Strata Solar are partnering on a 450-acre, 50-MW electric solar generating station to be located in Hattiesburg.
- The company is also partnering with Origis Energy on a 52-MW utility-scale solar energy project to be located in Sumrall.
- Mississippi Power, Hannah Solar, and the U.S. Navy are partnering on a 23-acre, 3-4-MW solar project to be located at The Naval Construction Battalion Center (Seabee Base) in Gulfport.
Together, these new solar facilities can produce the amount of energy used annually by approximately 15,500 homes. Construction on all three projects is scheduled to begin in early 2016.
"These cost-effective, utility-scale solar energy projects once again place Mississippi Power at the forefront of the state's energy economy by adding renewable energy into the company's portfolio," said Mississippi Power President Anthony Wilson. "Working together with our partners, these projects will have a substantial impact on the amount of electricity generated by renewables in Mississippi."
The developers of the solar energy projects will finance each installation with Mississippi Power receiving all of the energy and associated renewable energy credits generated by the projects. The energy and RECs may be used to serve customers with renewable energy, for future renewable energy programs or to sell at wholesale to third parties. The power will be purchased through long-term purchased power agreements with the developers.
As an intermittent energy resource, the solar facilities will not replace Mississippi Power's generating plants, but will have the capability to provide energy that will help diversify the company's generation portfolio and help keep rates affordable for customers.
