El Paso Electric (EPE) and Element Power have executed a power purchase agreement (PPA) covering the total output from Element Power's Macho Springs solar project, a 50 MW solar photovoltaic power plant under development near Deming, N.M., on land leased from the New Mexico State Land Office.
EPE selected Element Power's Macho Springs farm from a competitive all-sources power request for proposals. The project's output will provide electricity to EPE's customers at a competitive rate and will enhance EPE's increasing renewable energy portfolio, the utility says.
The purchase power agreement is subject to approval by the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission. The project is expected to start construction in 2013 and be completed in 2014.
