GULFPORT, Miss., April 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Mississippi Power
and Silicon Ranch Corporation, along with local officials from the
city of Hattiesburg, Forrest County and the Area Development
Partnership, held a groundbreaking ceremony for the state's largest
solar farm today in Hattiesburg.
When operational, the $100-million
facility will generate 50 MW, enough electricity to supply power to
approximately 6,500 homes.
Members of the Mississippi Public Service Commission were also
on hand for the ceremony, held at the Lake Terrace Convention
Center in Hattiesburg.
"This is the second of three major solar projects that have been
approved by the Public Service Commission, demonstrating
Mississippi Power's continuing commitment to cost-effective solar
development," said Mississippi Power President and CEO Anthony L. Wilson. "The Pine Belt region is one
of the hubs of economic development in the state and our
investments in renewable energy here will contribute to future
growth."
"We are committed to having a well-balanced energy portfolio,
and are proud to work with Silicon Ranch, Forrest County, the city of Hattiesburg and the Area Development
Partnership to make that happen," Wilson added.
In May, Mississippi Power and Origis Energy will break ground on
a 52-MW utility-scale solar project in Sumrall. In March, Mississippi Power, the U.S.
Navy and Hannah Solar broke ground
on a 3-4 MW solar project at the Naval Construction Battalion
Center in Gulfport, Miss.
The Hattiesburg solar farm will
be on 450 acres and will feature more than 600,000 solar panels.
The project will create approximately 400 jobs during
construction.
"Silicon Ranch is proud to work with Mississippi Power, the city
of Hattiesburg, Forrest County, and the Area Development
Partnership to bring this important renewable energy project to
south Mississippi," said Silicon
Ranch President and CEO Matt Kisber.
"As long-term owners of this solar project, as well as several
others across Mississippi, we are
excited about the economic and environmental benefits it will bring
to the community, the surrounding region, and the state."
Silicon Ranch will fund, own, and operate the project and has
selected Strata Solar to build it. Mississippi Power will receive
all the energy produced at cost-competitive rates over the next 25
years. Mississippi Power will also receive all associated renewable
energy credits, which it may use to either serve its customers with
renewable energy, use for future renewable energy programs, or sell
at wholesale to third parties. The solar project is slated to
be complete by early 2017 and once operational, the power will be
placed on the Mississippi Power grid.
"The city of Hattiesburg is
excited to partner with Silicon Ranch and Mississippi Power to
bring abundant, clean energy to the local grid," said Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny DuPree. "This project diversifies
our potential energy fuel offerings and further enhances our
reputation as a high-tech community with a pro-business approach.
We look forward to a long-standing partnership on this solar energy
facility."
Forrest County Board of
Supervisors President David Hogan
said, "Forrest County has a long
track record of aggressively attracting new investment into our
community. We are excited to welcome Silicon Ranch as our
newest corporate citizen and look forward to the solar farm
generating 50 MW of clean solar energy for our region."
The Hattiesburg facility will
not replace other Mississippi Power generating plants, but will
have the capability to provide energy that will help diversify the
company's generation portfolio.
About Mississippi Power
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. Mississippi Power earned
the 2015 ReliabilityOne™ Award for outstanding
midsize utility for excellence in storm restoration and recovery
efforts as well as being a leader in reliability, customer service
and safety. Visit our websites
at mississippipower.com and mississippipowernews.com,
like us on Facebook, and follow us
on Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ and YouTube.
About Silicon Ranch Corporation
Silicon Ranch
Corporation, based in Nashville,
Tenn., is one of the top 15 solar owner-operators in the
U.S. Silicon Ranch is a full-service, renewable energy provider
that customizes solar solutions based upon the individual needs of
its customers across the nation and has been instrumental in
helping its partners accomplish numerous "firsts" in their
respective marketplaces. In addition to the project in Hattiesburg, Silicon Ranch owns and operates
Mississippi solar farms in
Okolona and Columbus and has projects under engineering
and construction in Houston and
New Albany. More information is available at
www.siliconranchcorp.com.
About the Area Development Partnership (ADP)
The Area
Development Partnership (ADP) is a private, non-profit organization
dedicated to improving the quality of life for citizens of
Greater Hattiesburg through
community and economic development. The ADP unites hundreds of
individuals, businesses and organizations, creating a unique agency
working to enhance the region's economy and build a better
community. The ADP's economic development portfolio includes
business recruitment, retention and expansion, project management,
government relations, small business loans, and more. Information
about the ADP is available at www.theADP.com.
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, 2015, 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