A serious U.S. solar energy developer introduced it has an influence buy settlement (PPA) with Arizona Public Service (APS) for the vitality produced from the Kitt Photo voltaic Challenge.
Avantus, the previous 8minute Photo voltaic Power, on Dec. 9 mentioned the PPA contains 100 MWac/130 MWdc of photo voltaic from the set up in Eloy, in Pinal County. It additionally contains 400 MWh of vitality storage.
Avantus mentioned it’ll start development of the undertaking subsequent 12 months, with business operation anticipated in 2026.
“Avantus’ settlement with APS will broaden the provision of fresh and dependable vitality in Arizona and is a testomony to our management in growing high-quality renewable vitality initiatives,” mentioned Avantus CEO Cliff Graham. “The Kitt Photo voltaic Challenge is not going to solely ship clear photo voltaic vitality and offset carbon emissions however will present a lot wanted vitality storage capability to fulfill rising demand and create a extra resilient grid in Arizona.”
The Kitt undertaking is anticipated to create as much as 400 development jobs. Avantus’ officers on Monday mentioned the solar energy will offset 200,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide per 12 months.
“Over the following a number of years, buyer peak vitality demand in Arizona is anticipated to develop considerably,” mentioned Derek Seaman, APS Director of Useful resource Acquisition. “The Kitt Photo voltaic Challenge will add to our rising solar energy and vitality storage portfolio and supply our prospects with extra dependable, cost-competitive and clear electrical energy.”
Avantus in a information launch famous that the mix of solar energy and vitality storage capability will assist grid resiliency in Arizona, and assist make sure the state can meet peak demand, notably during times of maximum warmth. The corporate mentioned Arizona noticed 113 consecutive days of temperatures at or above 100F this 12 months, which additionally broke demand data for electrical energy.
Avantus has one of many largest pipelines of photo voltaic and vitality storage initiatives within the U.S., together with 30 GW of photo voltaic and 94 GWh of vitality storage. Officers mentioned the settlement additionally builds on Avantus’ efforts in Arizona; the corporate not too long ago bought the 225-MW Catclaw Photo voltaic and Power Storage Challenge in Maricopa County to D.E. Shaw Renewable Investments. That undertaking, which incorporates 250-MW/1,000 MWh of vitality storage, additionally will present electrical energy to APS by way of a PPA negotiated by Avantus.
—Darrell Proctor is a senior editor for POWER.
