GULFPORT, Miss., May 4, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Mississippi Power is
expanding its renewable generation portfolio with an agreement to
team on another utility-scale solar electric generating farm, this
time with solar provider Origis Energy.
The company, and Origis, are working to develop a 52 MW solar
project on 485 acres in Sumrall,
Miss. pending approval by the Mississippi Public Service
Commission.
"Adding a third renewable project continues the company's
commitment to having a diverse generation portfolio to help keep
rates affordable for our customers," said President and CEO
Ed Holland. "This cost-effective,
utility-scale solar energy project once again places the company at
the forefront of the state's energy economy."
Mississippi Power will receive all of the energy and associated
renewable energy credits generated by these 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.
"Origis is honored to team up with Mississippi Power on this
utility-scale solar project," said Origis Energy President
Guy Vanderhaegen. "Our team has
received great support with the development of this project, and
we're excited about its possibilities."
This announcement comes on the heels of an April 23 agreement with two solar companies and
the U.S. Navy to build utility-scale solar electric generating
farms at two different locations in the company's service
territory. Combined at 105 MW, these projects would represent the
largest solar installations in Mississippi.
Mississippi Power is partnering with Strata Solar on a 450-acre,
50 MW electric solar generating station to be located at
Hattiesburg-Forrest County
Industrial Park in Hattiesburg,
and with the U.S. Navy and Hannah
Solar on a 23-acre, 3-4 MW facility at the Naval
Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport.
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 Mississippi Public Service Commission, the
projects could be in service near 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.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements:
Certain information contained in this
communication is forward-looking information based on current
expectations and plans that involve risks and uncertainties.
Forward-looking information includes, among other things,
statements concerning the development, construction, and subsequent
operation of the solar projects currently in development by
Mississippi Power Company. Mississippi Power Company cautions that
there are certain factors that can cause actual results to differ
materially from the forward-looking information that has been
provided. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on this
forward-looking information, which is not a guarantee of future
performance and is subject to a number of uncertainties and other
factors, many of which are outside the control of Mississippi Power
Company; accordingly, there can be no assurance that such suggested
results will be realized. The following factors, in addition to
those discussed in Mississippi Power Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, and subsequent
securities filings, could cause actual results to differ materially
from management expectations as suggested by such forward-looking
information: the ability to control costs and avoid cost
overruns during the development and construction of generating
facilities, to construct facilities in accordance with the
requirements of permits and licenses, to satisfy any operational
and environmental performance standards, including the requirements
of tax credits and other incentives, and to integrate facilities
into the Southern Company system upon completion of construction;
and potential business strategies, including acquisitions or
dispositions of assets or businesses, which cannot be assured to be
completed or beneficial to Mississippi Power Company. Mississippi
Power Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update any
forward-looking information.
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SOURCE Mississippi Power