GRANTS, N.M. — A company called Origis Energy has announced the initiation of construction for an Escalante Solar Project near Grants, New Mexico. The project is situated on the site of the decommissioned Escalante Power Generating Station, which ceased operations in 2020, throwing the local economy into a panic.
According to a press release about the project, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association has entered into a power purchase agreement to secure the output of the 200-megawatt Escalante Solar Project, signifying a commitment to advancing renewable energy objectives.
Origis Energy acquired development rights for the project from TurningPoint Energy. The project is within the service territory of Continental Divide Electric Cooperative (CDEC) and will cater to Tri-State members, including CDEC and its ten New Mexico-based members.
Albuquerque-based construction firm Gridworks has been entrusted with the construction of the solar project. The project's construction phase is anticipated to provide employment opportunities for approximately 400 individuals. Completion of the project is projected for the year 2024.
The Escalante Solar Project represents a significant move towards Tri-State's Responsible Energy Plan, which aims to augment clean energy implementation. Duane Highley, Tri-State's Chief Executive Officer, noted that one of the major goals for this project is sourcing 50 percent of energy from renewable resources by 2025, exceeding the requirements of the Energy Transition Act by five years.
Upon completion, the project is expected to power an estimated 40,000 homes and contribute to the local community through the creation of a new tax base. The project has also negotiated an Industrial Revenue Bond with McKinley County, New Mexico, with stipulations for tax contributions to the County and School District over the project's lifespan.
Origis Energy, headquartered in Miami, Florida, specializes in providing clean and costeffective solar, energy storage, and clean hydrogen solutions. With a track record encompassing 170 projects worldwide totaling over five gigawatts of developed solar, energy storage, and clean hydrogen capacity, the company aims to deliver excellence in various aspects of clean energy development, financing, engineering, procurement, construction (EPC), and operations.
For more information about the project, interested parties can visit the official project website. For additional details about Tri-State and Origis Energy, their respective websites, www.tristate.coop and www.OrigisEnergy.com, provide comprehensive information about their activities and contributions within the energy sector.