NRG Energy Inc. (NYSE: NRG) will add to its solar power portfolio when it completes construction of its newest photovoltaic solar project in Santa Teresa, New Mexico.
The company announced that it will break ground on the 20 MW Road Runner Electricity Facility before the year's end. NRG will finance the US$21 million project, and it has partnered with First Solar Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR) to "provide engineering, construction and procurement services for the project using its advanced thin film photovoltaic solar modules."
When completed next year the Road Runner project will be the second largest solar farm in New Mexico, and will represent one of the state's first large-scale solar facilities. It will produce enough electricity to power an estimated 16,000 New Mexico homes while reducing the carbon footprint by 27,000 tons a year. Under a 20 year agreement, NRG will sell the electricity generated to El Paso Electric Co. (NYSE: EE).
“I am pleased that NRG has chosen to expand its solar generation operations to New Mexico,” Governor Bill Richardson said. “My administration has worked closely with NRG, El Paso Electric and local governments to jumpstart this project which will not only create jobs and help us meet our clean energy goals, but furthers our efforts to become the Solar Valley of North America.”
Image Credit: afloresm via Flickr.
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Joseph Baker is a freelance writer living in Vancouver BC. His areas of focus include renewable energy, sustainability and climate change.
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