First Solar Inc. says construction has commenced on the Macho Springs 50 MW solar power plant, located on state trust land in Luna County, N.M. Construction is expected to be completed by May 2014.
El Paso Electric will purchase the entire power output from the Macho Springs solar power project under a 20-year power purchase agreement to serve its New Mexico and Texas service territory. This project was secured by El Paso Electric through an all-source competitive request for proposal process conducted in 2011.
‘This is a milestone for not only El Paso Electric, but our customers and this region," says El Paso Electric CEO Tom Shockley. ‘We look forward to the continued growth of this technology in a cost-effective manner.’
The project will operate on a commercial lease from the state land office on about 500 acres of land. First Solar also has an interconnection agreement with El Paso Electric.
