Alabama’s Lauderdale County is set to receive a solar-powered employment boost, as construction of the state’s biggest solar project get under way.
Public utility Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) last week announced the commissioning of the project at a public ceremony with local officials.
The 75-MW River Bend Solar Energy Centre will be constructed on 640 acres of former farmland and will generate enough energy for 15,000 households . TVA has signed on to a 20-year power purchase agreement (solar PPA) to buy electricity generated by the facility.
Featuring 300,000 solar panels on motorised trackers that follow the sun throughout the day, the River Bend Solar Energy Centre is the latest renewable power purchase by TVA; part of a major plan to expand its portfolio of clean energy supplies for customers in America’s South Eastern region.
“TVA never stands still, and this NextEra Energy Resources project helps us meet our commitment to provide the 9 million people of the Tennessee Valley with reliable, low-cost, carbon-free electricity,” said Van Wardlaw, executive vice president of external relations for TVA.
“Over the next 20 years, TVA will invest about $8 billion to support our renewable energy portfolio, and we see a bright renewable energy future for projects like this across the Tennessee Valley.”
The new solar farm comes with a huge environmental benefit – it will offset approximately 105,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year that would have been produced if the electricity had been generated using fossil fuels.
But it’s the economic benefits that have Lauderdale community leaders most excited. More than 350 – mostly local – jobs will be created during construction and it is local businesses that will service their needs; including housing, healthcare and building materials.
“This project has provided good jobs for Lauderdale County residents, and businesses are enjoying the extra activity, too,” said Lauderdale County Commissioner Joe Hackworth. “We are thrilled to host the state’s largest solar facility and help realize the benefits it can bring to our community.”
TVA expects that over its operational life, the solar project will contribute over $9 million in property taxes – most of which will flow to the Lauderdale County School system.
“I know the school board will look at all of the opportunities these funds will provide,” said Lauderdale County School Superintendent Jennifer Gray. “The funds will be a boost to many of the school district’s future projects.”
