INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Green Technology

The 200 MWac-solar project highlights the latest milestone to bring renewable energy to rural cooperative members .

Built on the site of the former 253-MWac , coal-fired Escalante Station near Grants , New Mexico , which was retired in 2020 , the solar project began generating carbon-free electricity in June 1 , 2024 .

“ Escalante Solar helps all our members get to 50 % clean energy used in 2025 , while meeting the requirements of New Mexico ’ s Energy Transition Act five years ahead of schedule ,” said Duane Highley , CEO , Tri-State .

“ We thank Origis Energy for their work to successfully develop Escalante Solar and we deeply appreciate their engagement with the local community .”

Guy Vanderhaegen , Executive Chairman , Origis Energy , said : “ Every time a project is completed and begins commercial operation , that is cause to celebrate .

Escalante Solar near Grants , New Mexico

Array Technologies , also headquartered in Albuquerque , provided the solar tracking system .

“ New Mexico communities have a long , proud history of powering our state and the rest of our country . This new solar project builds on that tradition – connecting more families across our state to clean , low-cost electricity ,” said US Senator Marin Heinrich ( D-New Mexico ).

“ We are especially delighted to bring affordable , reliable , renewable electricity to the members of Tri-State – which helps meet Tri-State ’ s decarbonization goals .”

Escalante Solar is now delivering 200 MWac of clean solar generation , enough power to serve an estimated 63,000 homes , to Tri-State ’ s members , including 11 electric cooperative members in New Mexico , under a power purchase agreement with Origis Energy .

The project was announced in 2020 as part of Tri-State ’ s landmark Responsible Energy Plan and is located in McKinley County , New Mexico – it is the largest solar project in the Tri-State generation portfolio .

Tri-State and Origis Energy worked with local stakeholders on the success and economic development related to the project . Gridworks , headquartered in Albuquerque , New Mexico , provided construction services for the project , employing an estimated 400 people during that time .

“ I look forward to continuing the work to grow more economic development opportunities so that all working people in this region can access high-quality careers they can build and support their families with .”

Origis Energy

Miami-based Origis Energy is one of America ’ s leading renewable energy and decarbonization solution platforms deploying a wide range of sustainable solutions for grid and distributed power generation , clean hydrogen and long-term operation of solar , energy storage and clean hydrogen plants across the USA .

Tri-State is a wholesale power supply cooperative , operating on a not-for-profit basis , with 45 members , including 42 utility electric distribution cooperative and public power district members in four states that together deliver reliable , affordable and responsible power to more than a million electricity consumers across nearly 200,000 square miles of the West . p

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