SRP Selects Iberdrola Renewables for Solar Project

SRP has selected Iberdrola Renewables Inc. to build and operate a 20-megawatt solar photovoltaic (PV) power facility that would, for the first time, allow an Arizona utility's customers to save money by buying the green energy directly from SRP's land-mounted solar power plant.

Mark Bonsall, SRP's associate general manager for Commercial and Customer Services, said the solar facility, when completed, would be the largest utility-scale solar photovoltaic facility of its kind in Arizona, producing enough power to serve more than 4,500 homes.

The planned solar facility, to be constructed in SRP's electric service territory in the southeast Valley, would be designed and constructed by Iberdrola Renewables.

The contract for output from the proposed solar plant will likely be presented to SRP's Board in January for final approval. Management is expected to first present the proposal to purchase the output for a term of 20 to 25 years to the SRP Power Committee at its meeting in December. If approved, the project has a scheduled 2011 on-line completion date.

"We are actively pursuing this project because it is not only good for SRP, but it is good for our customers and for the environment," said Bonsall. "We want to be in a position to offer our customers a new, lower-cost solar energy option by giving them the opportunity to purchase the green power directly from this solar facility. SRP will utilize whatever output may not be subscribed by our customers, if any."

Solar electric systems that are mounted on rooftops are smaller, and involve the added expense of custom installation, Bonsall said.

"While SRP will continue to support rooftop solar, we have wanted to develop an approach that reduces both our customers' costs and our costs," he said. "This approach will make solar accessible to more people--and it improves our renewable economics as well."

This would be the second large renewable power project in which SRP has partnered with Portland, Ore.-based Iberdrola Renewables. Last month, the Dry Lake Wind Farm was dedicated as Arizona's first commercial-scale wind power project. Located in Navajo County about 18 miles northwest of Snowflake, the Dry Lake facility generates enough electricity to power more than 15,000 SRP customers' homes.

Return to December 2009 Western Energy News

To sponsor Western Energy News, please contact WEI at 503 231-1994.