GULFPORT, Miss., April 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Mississippi Power
is partnering with two solar businesses and the U.S. Navy to build
utility-scale solar electric generating farms at two different
locations in the company's service territory. With a combined total
of approximately 53 megawatts, together these projects would
represent the largest solar installations in Mississippi.
"We are excited to be a part of this partnership to develop
cost-effective, utility-scale solar generation to enhance our
portfolio," said Mississippi Power President and CEO Ed Holland. "Together these new solar facilities
can produce the amount of energy used annually by approximately
7,800 homes. We look forward to bringing these projects to
completion following approval by the Public Service
Commission."
Mississippi Power will receive all of the energy and associated
renewable energy credits generated by the projects, which it may
use to serve its customers with renewable energy, use for future
renewable energy programs, or sell at wholesale to third
parties.
Mississippi Power and Strata Solar, a turn-key solar provider,
are working to develop a 50 MW solar project located on 450 acres
at Hattiesburg-Forrest County
Industrial Park located near Hattiesburg.
"Strata Solar is thrilled to be working with Mississippi Power
on the project in Hattiesburg,"
said Strata Solar CEO Markus
Wilhelm. "Working with utilities to diversify their
generation portfolios in a competitive manner with their
traditional resources is a big part of our passion for what we do
as a company. We are looking forward to getting this project under
way."
In addition to the Strata solar project, Mississippi Power also
is partnering with the U.S. Navy and Hannah
Solar at the Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport on
a 23-acre, 3-4 MW facility. The project is part of the Navy's
efforts to meet the Secretary of the Navy's goal to produce or
procure one gigawatt of renewable energy.
"This innovative project represents a significant,
cost-effective contribution toward the Navy's forward-leaning
efforts to improve our national energy resilience through
renewables," said Capt. Paul
Odenthal, commanding officer Naval Construction Battalion
Center Gulfport. "It is the result of much hard work and the strong
relationship we have with our many community partners. We are happy
to be part of this win-win initiative."
"We're delighted with the cooperative spirit in which the
project came together," said Pete
Marte, Hannah Solar CEO. "Mississippi Power, Southern
Company, the U.S. Navy, and Hannah
Solar have created a first-class project for all parties and
the people of Mississippi."
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.
If approved by the PSC, the projects could be in service by the
end of 2016.
Mississippi Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO),
produces safe, reliable and environmentally responsible energy for
more than 186,000 customers in 23 southeast Mississippi counties. Recognized throughout
the utility industry for excellence in storm restoration and
recovery efforts, Mississippi Power is the 2013 winner of the
Edison Electric Institute's Emergency Assistance Award. As a leader
in safety, Mississippi Power ranked first in the 2013 Southeastern
Electric Exchange (SEE) Safety Performance Reports. Visit our
websites at mississippipower.com and mississippipowernews.com, like
us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ and
YouTube.
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SOURCE Mississippi Power