Construction to Begin on Alabama’s First Utility Scale Solar Project

The electricity generated from all three solar farms will be used to serve Mississippi Power customers for at least the next 25 years.

The Sindh provincial government approved allocation of 15,089 acres of land to set up 21 solar and wind energy projects, amounting to a total installed capacity of 1,880 MW.

“Strata Solar is looking forward to working with Mississippi Power on our Hattiesburg solar project”, said Strata Solar CEO Markus Wilhelm. “Working together with our partners, these projects will have a substantial impact on the amount of electricity generated by renewables in MS”.

The projects are expected to be developed by national and global project developers, however, no auctions have been organised or announced, though a few project developers have submitted bank guarantees with the Sindh Energy Department to start work on the projects.

“We are watching low-priced solar power go from a hope for the future to a current reality”, Northern District Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley said.

The addition of these projects will add over 20 MW of solar energy to Alabama’s renewable portfolio. The power will be purchased through long-term purchased power agreements with the developers.

The move will make the energy company the largest solar power partner in the state, according to the company’s press release.

They are: a 50MW plant in collaboration with Strata Solar in Hattiesburg; a 52MW facility with Origis Energy in Sumrall; and a 4-5MW project with Hannah Solar and the US Navy at the Naval Construction Battalion Center (Seabee Base) in Gulfport.

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. The projects are scheduled to begin in early 2016.