D E Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI) and partner El Paso Electric (EPE) have announced the start of construction of the 130MWac Carne solar and storage project in the US.
The facility is located in Deming, New Mexico, and is DESRI’s second solar facility in Luna County following the Alta Luna project (pictured), which began operations in 2017.
The scheme will provide clean, reliable power to the south-west and will bring EPE closer to its 80% clean energy goal by 2035 and 100% by 2045, said the company.
“DESRI is pleased to continue our investment in the energy transition in New Mexico with our fourth utility scale renewable energy facility in the state, and to build on our long-standing relationship with EPE,” said DESRI chief development officer Hy Martin.
“Carne will provide reliable, cost-effective clean power to EPE, as well as transmission grid support with the planned large battery storage facility.
“In addition, the project will support the local community with economic development opportunities for years to come.
“We are grateful for the support of EPE, Luna County, SOLV Energy, and other stakeholders in the project.”
Carne has a 20-year power purchase agreement with EPE and is expected to begin commercial operations in 2025.
The site is anticipated to generate enough clean energy to power approximately 37,600 homes each year, according to metrics provided by the Environmental Protection Agency. Galehead Development and Lacuna Sustainable Investments were involved in the initial development of the project.
“EPE is excited to join DESRI in bringing this latest renewable generation addition to New Mexico, and to continue to build upon our great working relationship,” said vice president of regulatory operations and resource strategy at EPE James Schichtl.
He added: “The Carne facility is dedicated 100% to serving our New Mexico customers and will be a critical resource in enabling EPE to meet the needs of customer demand and requirements of New Mexico’s Renewable Portfolio Standard goals.
“The battery storage component of the new facility will be the largest serving EPE customers and provide much needed capacity and reliability for our New Mexico customers.
“EPE looks forward to the successful completion of the Carne project and to future renewable projects with DESRI in New Mexico.”
SOLV Energy will serve as the engineering, procurement, and construction contractor and will also provide ongoing operations and maintenance services to the Project once operational.
“In addition to supporting EPE’s clean energy goals, Carne will create more than 300 construction jobs and provide the local workforce with on-the-job skills training and career development opportunities,” said SOLV Energy chief executive George Hershman.
“SOLV Energy and DESRI have partnered on nearly four gigawatts of renewable capacity across the US.
“We are pleased to continue working together to deliver the benefits of clean energy to New Mexico as the EPC and O&M provider on Carne.”