MINNEAPOLIS, May 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Geronimo Energy
(Geronimo), a National Grid company, and Big Rivers Electric
Corporation (Big Rivers) announced today the execution of a Power
Purchase Agreement (PPA) for the Unbridled Solar Project (Unbridled
Solar) in Henderson and
Webster Counties, Kentucky. Unbridled Solar is a 160 megawatt
(MW) clean solar energy project located in the Midcontinent
Independent System Operator (MISO) market.
"Big Rivers is excited to add this renewable energy source to
our portfolio for the sole benefit of our Member-Owners," said
Bob Berry, President and CEO of Big
Rivers Electric Corporation. "This is another example of our
commitment to provide safe, reliable and sustainable energy to our
Members."
Anticipated to begin operations at the end of 2023, Unbridled
Solar is currently the largest solar project development in the
state of Kentucky. Using
the United States' Environmental
Protection Agency's (EPA) greenhouse gas equivalencies calculator,
the project is estimated to offset carbon dioxide emissions by
255,000 metric tons annually.
"Geronimo Energy has a long-term commitment to the State of Kentucky," stated David Reamer, President for Geronimo Energy. "We
have established roots in the southeastern region of the United States, and together with Big
Rivers Electric Corporation, we are expanding upon this foundation
to bring farmer-friendly and economically beneficial renewable
energy to local and statewide Kentucky communities and economies."
The associated economic benefits projected to result from
Unbridled Solar total an estimated $9
million throughout the first 20 years of operation,
including positive impacts in new tax revenue, construction jobs,
new full-time jobs, and charitable funds through the project's
Education Fund. The Unbridled Solar Education Fund alone will
provide approximately $640,000 in
donations to the local school districts connected to the project
above and beyond all tax revenue and local spending benefits.
"This power purchase agreement is encouraging news for
Henderson County," said
Brad Schneider, Henderson County
Judge-Executive. "It will enhance our community's efforts to land
new industries that require a proven renewable energy source to
help supply their plants. Constructing the solar facilities
Geronimo needs to supply that power will mean jobs for local
contractors and their teams, and Henderson County's willingness to embrace and
utilize new technologies will hopefully convince other businesses
with products or ideas on the cutting edge to locate here.
Congratulations Geronimo and Big Rivers Electric Corporation!
Welcome to our corner of Kentucky."
"I think Big Rivers Electric Corporation has selected an
outstanding company. Geronimo Energy has a reputation for being a
great community partner," stated Stephen R.
Henry, Webster County Judge Executive. "I look forward to
working with their team to see what opportunities can be generated
for our area because of this project. With agriculture being so
important to us all, I am glad to get a farmer-friendly company
like Geronimo."
"This contract with Big Rivers Electric Corporation furthers
National Grid's and Geronimo Energy's collective mission to reduce
carbon emissions and accelerate a clean energy future," said
Daniel Westerman, President,
Distributed & Renewable Energy for National Grid. "For
community members and Big Rivers Electric Corporation, this project
represents a significant step forward in combatting climate change
and diversifying the local electric generator portfolio."
About Geronimo Energy
Geronimo Energy, a National Grid
(NYSE: NGG) company, is a leading North American renewable energy
development company based in Minneapolis,
Minnesota, with satellite offices located throughout
multiple states in the regions where it develops, constructs, and
operates. As a farmer-friendly and community driven company,
Geronimo develops projects for corporations and utilities that seek
to repower America's grid by reigniting local economies and
reinvesting in a sustainable future. Geronimo has developed over
2,400 megawatts of wind and solar projects that are either
operational or currently under construction, resulting in an
investment of over $4 billion in
critical energy infrastructure and the revitalization of rural
economies. Geronimo has a vast development pipeline of wind and
solar projects in various stages of development throughout
the United States. Please visit
www.geronimoenergy.com to learn more.
About Big Rivers Electric Corporation
Big Rivers
Electric Corporation is an electric generation and transmission
cooperative headquartered in Henderson,
Kentucky and owned by three distribution cooperative
members—Jackson Purchase Energy Corporation, headquartered in
Paducah; Kenergy Corp,
headquartered in Henderson; and
Meade County Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation, headquartered
in Brandenburg. These member
cooperatives deliver retail electric power and energy to more than
118,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers in
portions of 22 western Kentucky
counties.
Contact:
|
Lindsay T.
Smith
|
|
Geronimo
Energy
|
|
8400 Normandale Lake
Boulevard
|
|
Suite 1200
|
|
Bloomington, MN
55437
|
|
952.358.5672,
lindsay@geronimoenergy.com
|
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SOURCE Geronimo Energy