GULFPORT, Miss., May 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Today,
Mississippi Power and Origis Energy, along with officials from the
Area Development Partnership and Lamar
County, held a groundbreaking ceremony for what will be the
state's largest solar facility.
When operational, the $100-million
facility will generate 52 MW, enough electricity to power
approximately 8,000 homes. Mississippi Power will receive all
energy and associated renewable energy credits produced by the
facility, which it may use to serve customers with solar energy or
sell to third parties for the benefit of customers.
"This is an exciting day for all of Mississippi," said Mississippi Power President
and CEO Anthony L. Wilson. "By
working with Origis Energy and the Area Development Partnership, we
will have nearly doubled the amount of electricity generated by
renewable energy going to the Mississippi Power grid."
Members of the Mississippi Public Service Commission and local
officials were also on hand for the ceremony, held at the Canebrake
Country Club.
In April, Mississippi Power and Silicon Ranch Corporation broke
ground on a 50 MW utility-scale solar project in Hattiesburg. In March, Mississippi Power, the
U.S. Navy and Hannah Solar broke
ground on a 3 MW solar project at the Naval Construction Battalion
Center in Gulfport, Miss.
Like the Lamar County project,
Mississippi Power retains the flexibility to use the energy and
RECs from these facilities to serve customers or to offer them to
others for the benefit of customers.
The Lamar County solar facility
will be on 590 acres and will feature more than 215,000
polycrystalline solar panels. The project will create up to 100
jobs during construction. It is scheduled to be completed first
quarter of 2017 and will have a 25-year power purchase agreement
with Mississippi Power. Throughout the PPA term, the energy
generated from this project will provide power at a steady price
and will not be subject to price variation seen with other fuel
sources.
"This historic state solar facility is a clear indication of the
commitment Mississippi Power, the state of Mississippi and Lamar County officials have to their
customers, community and the Pine Belt region," said Chief
Executive Officer & President of Origis Energy Guy Vanderhaegen. "By working together, these
utility and community leaders are creating regional jobs. Our
Origis team is honored to be part of the solar revolution now
happening in Mississippi."
Lamar County Supervisor
Dale Lucus said, "This solar project
is a great fit for Lamar County
and the tax revenue from the project will greatly benefit the
county and the local school system. We appreciate Origis Energy's
investment here in this great county and we look forward to
partnering with them for many years on the largest solar
installation in the state of Mississippi."
The Lamar County 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 ReliabilityOneTM 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 Origis Energy
Origis Energy is Powering the
Solar RevolutionSM with custom clean energy solutions
for utility, commercial and public sector clients. The Origis team
has worked to ensure the interests of all stakeholders are upheld
in more than 100 projects worldwide totaling 500+ megawatts to date
of developed solar capacity. With offices in the U.S., Brazil and Belgium, Origis delivers excellence in solar
project development, financing, engineering, procurement and
construction (EPC) and operations, maintenance and asset management
for investors and clean energy consumers across Europe and the Americas. For more information,
visit www.origisenergy.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