A 111-MW solar energy facility constructed on reclaimed land at a former coal mine website in Kentucky has entered industrial operation. The Martin County Photo voltaic Mission (MCSP), developed, constructed, owned and operated by Savion—a Shell Group portfolio firm—is now among the many largest photo voltaic farms within the state and in addition one of many first U.S. solar energy amenities situated on former coal mine land.
Savion on Jan. 14 introduced the beginning of operations of MCSP. The photo voltaic farm was constructed on land previously utilized by the Martiki coal mine in Pilgrim, Kentucky. Savion is the only proprietor of the power, whereas Shell serves because the mission’s asset supervisor.
“The important partnerships among the many Martin County Choose Government and Fiscal Courtroom, local people members, instructional advocates, financial and workforce growth leaders, in addition to the groups engaged on the bottom had been important to serving to convey this distinctive photo voltaic facility on-line,” stated Nick Lincon, president of Savion. “Years in the past, Savion noticed the distinctive alternative to develop a photo voltaic mission on a former coal mine within the nice state of Kentucky, which has a wealthy historical past of power era on this nation and continues to exhibit its dedication to powering our nation by artistic options reminiscent of this one. We’re proud to have the ability to convey this mission into operation and grateful to everybody who made this mission a actuality.”
The 850-acre mission contains greater than 214,000 bifacial photo voltaic panels. It interconnects to Kentucky Energy’s Inez Substation, which is already situated on the website. Kentucky Energy is a part of American Electrical Energy (AEP). AEP, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, serves clients in 11 states.
The MSCP mission in December 2021 obtained approval from the Martin County Fiscal Courtroom and Kentucky Financial Growth Finance Authority for a $231 million industrial income bond, together with a $600,000 gross sales tax incentive by the Kentucky Enterprise Initiative Act. Development started in October 2023 and was accomplished in December of final 12 months.
The mission has a digital energy buy settlement (VPPA) with Toyota Motor North America for 100 MW of the era from the positioning. Shell Power North America has a VPPA for the opposite 11 MW.
“Respect for the planet is one in every of our firm’s core values,” stated Willie Overmann, carbon neutrality enterprise supervisor for Toyota Motor North America. “We exhibit this worth by striving to transcend carbon neutrality with our merchandise, companies, and operations and discover new methods to make a constructive impression on our planet and society. This digital energy buy settlement with Savion embodies the clear, science-based strategy we take when addressing some of the advanced challenges of our time.”
Savion, which develops utility-scale photo voltaic and power storage initiatives within the U.S., has a portfolio of greater than 43 GW of era capability. The corporate labored with Kentucky-based Edelen Renewables through the growth part of the MCSP. The mission obtained a certificates of building from the Kentucky State Siting Board in November 2021.
—Darrell Proctor is a senior editor for POWER.
