Avangrid and the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore opportunities to develop up to 1GW of clean energy in the US.
The green energy projects will be built within the Navajo Nation in the states of New Mexico and Arizona.
NTUA is the largest multi-utility enterprise owned and operated by a Native American tribe and the partnership will allow the two parties to collaborate and study the feasibility of developing wind and solar projects, as well as battery storage.
The development of these sites will create new jobs, create economic development on the Navajo Nation, offset lost revenue on the Navajo Nation, and bring reliable, affordable, and renewable energy to power Navajo Nation businesses and residents, said Avangrid.
“We are thrilled to announce this collaboration with the NTUA, which allows us to join efforts to study and develop green energy projects with the potential of bringing important benefits to the region”, said chief executive of Avangrid Pedro Azagra.
“Partnerships like these reflect our steadfast commitment to making a meaningful, positive impact in the lives of the families in the communities where we are present.”
“NTUA Generation has been working diligently to explore renewable energy development opportunities on the Navajo Nation with the promise of new jobs and clean green energy,” said NTUA general manager Walter Haase.
“We do believe the partnership we have with AVANGRID will advance clean green energy development on the Navajo Nation and will help provide benefits to the communities served by NTUA,” he added.
“We look forward to the progress this partnership will bring.”
Navajo Nation President Nygren said: “The Navajo Nation appreciates Navajo Tribal Utility Authority’s efforts in the clean energy generation space.
“As a wholly owned entity of the Navajo Nation, the utility’s tenacity and development of partnerships shows what can be accomplished.”
As part of this partnership, Avangrid and NTUA will explore how projects could benefit from the Inflation Reduction Act.
“This partnership is transformative and exactly what the Inflation Reduction Act was intended to encourage,” said US Senator Martin Heinrich.
“Avangrid and Navajo Nation’s commitment to explore opportunities together to build clean energy projects will create new revenue streams and lower energy costs for New Mexicans. I hope to see many more innovative partnerships in the coming months and years.”