Mississippi Power is partnering with two solar developers and the U.S. Navy on large-scale solar electric projects with a combined total of approximately 53 MW at two locations in the company's service territory.
Strata Solar is developing a 50 MW solar farm located on 450 acres at Hattiesburg-Forrest County Industrial Park. Hannah Solar is developing a 3+ MW solar facility on a 23-acre site at the Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport.
If approved by the Mississippi Public Service Commission, the projects could be in service by the end of 2016.
Mississippi Power will receive all of the projects' energy and associated renewable energy credits, which it may use to serve its customers with renewable energy, use for future renewable energy programs or sell at wholesale to third parties. As an intermittent energy resource, the solar facilities will not replace Mississippi Power's generating plants but will have the capability to provide energy that will help diversify the company's generation portfolio.
‘We are excited to be a part of this partnership to develop cost-effective, utility-scale solar generation to enhance our portfolio,’ says Ed Holland, Mississippi Power's president and CEO.
