LAKE VILLAGE, Ark.,
Dec. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- A
subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources (NYSE: NEE) and Entergy
Arkansas (NYSE: ETR) today announced the start of construction of
Arkansas' largest universal,
utility-scale solar energy project – the Chicot Solar Energy
Center. The Chicot Solar Energy Center, when complete, will be
bigger than the Stuttgart Solar Energy Center, which came online in
2018 as the state's largest universal solar energy project at that
time.
"We are pleased that Entergy Arkansas and NextEra Energy
Resources have partnered together to bring more solar power to the
state," said Arkansas Governor
Asa Hutchinson. "Utility-scale solar
keeps electric rates low, and the clean, renewable energy it
provides can be a catalyst for economic growth. This project is
great for Southeast Arkansas and
is yet another reason our future looks bright in the Natural
State."
"Entergy Arkansas is already the largest solar provider in the
state, and this project allows us to increase what we can provide
for our customers," said Laura
Landreaux, president and CEO of Entergy Arkansas.
"Large-scale, universal solar allows us to provide the benefits of
renewable energy to all of our 700,000 customers at an economic
price."
The Chicot Solar Energy Center will span approximately 825
acres, near Lake Village in
Chicot County. Construction will
last approximately 11 months. Once complete, the facility will
feature approximately 350,000 photovoltaic solar panels that
convert the sun's energy into electricity. The solar energy center
will have a capacity to generate 100 megawatts of electricity, or
enough to power more than 18,000 homes. A subsidiary of NextEra
Energy Resources is developing the project and will build, own and
operate it. The energy will serve Entergy Arkansas customers under
a 20-year power purchase agreement.
"This project will bring good jobs, tax benefits and affordable,
renewable energy to the state for decades to come," said
John Ketchum, president and CEO of
NextEra Energy Resources. "We are pleased to continue to work with
our partners at Entergy Arkansas to bring economic, renewable
energy to customers and introduce another universal solar project
of this scale in Arkansas."
The project will create a significant economic boost for
Chicot County, creating up to 150
jobs during the construction phase. From labor and materials, to
housing, health care and construction - a wide variety of local
businesses will benefit from the influx of economic activity.
"The availability of cost-effective renewable energy resources
provides an excellent economic development tool as we work to
attract and retain businesses to Arkansas. The construction of this
utility-scale solar project will employ a number of individuals and
will spur economic activity during construction," said Mike Preston, the Secretary of the Arkansas
Department of Commerce. "Low electricity rates are a significant
benefit to economic development in Arkansas, and the solar facility in
Chicot County will be an excellent
addition to the state's electric generation resources."
Over its operational life, the Chicot Solar Energy Center is
expected to generate nearly $7
million in additional revenue for Chicot County, with much of that funding going
to help Chicot County Public
Schools.
NextEra Energy Resources
NextEra Energy Resources, LLC
(together with its affiliated entities, "NextEra Energy
Resources"), is a clean energy leader and is one of the largest
wholesale generators of electric power in the U.S., with
approximately 21,000 megawatts of net generating capacity,
primarily in 36 states and Canada
as of year-end 2018. NextEra Energy Resources, together with its
affiliated entities, is the world's largest generator of renewable
energy from the wind and sun and a world leader in battery storage.
The business operates clean, emissions-free nuclear power
generation facilities in New
Hampshire, Iowa and
Wisconsin as part of the NextEra
Energy nuclear fleet, which is one of the largest in the United States. NextEra Energy Resources,
LLC is a subsidiary of Juno Beach,
Florida-based NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE). For more
information, visit www.NextEraEnergyResources.com.
Entergy Arkansas
Entergy Arkansas provides electricity
to approximately 700,000 customers in 63 counties. Entergy Arkansas
is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation (NYSE: ETR), an integrated
energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and
retail distribution operations. Entergy owns and operates power
plants with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating
capacity, including nearly 9,000 megawatts of nuclear power.
Entergy delivers electricity to 2.9 million utility customers in
Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Entergy has annual revenues of
$11 billion and approximately 13,500
employees.
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SOURCE Entergy Corporation