Dive Brief:
- Three Southern Co. subsidiaries are adding 160 MW of solar capacity in California, Georgia and Florida, through a mix of project development and an acquisition, the utility announced last week.
- In the largest of the developments, last week Gulf Power received approval from state regulators to develop 120 MW of solar generation at Florida military installations.
- All told, Southern has 3,100 MW of announced or completed renewable energy generating capacity.
Dive Insight:
Georgia Power, Gulf Power and Southern Power are combining to add more than 160 MW of solar power to Southern's portfolio, the company said last week.
The Florida Public Service Commission authorized Gulf Power to develop utility-scale solar generation at three military bases: Eglin Air Force Base in Fort Walton Beach (30 MW); and Navy facilities Holley Field in Navarre (40 MW) and Saufley Field in Pensacola (50 MW).
Additionally, Southern Power has acquired a controlling interest in the 32-MW Lost Hills-Blackwell Solar Facility in California from First Solar. And Georgia Power recently broke ground on a 30-MW solar installation at Fort Benning near Columbus, Georgia, part of three solar installations totaling 90 MW the utility is developing with the military.
"Investing today in sustainable energy innovations will make a better tomorrow for customers," Southern Chairman, President and CEO Thomas Fanning said in a statement. "We are inspired by the momentum we are developing with these new partnerships to deliver clean energy and real, measurable results."
Southern said its renewable portfolio includes 42 solar projects in six states. Last month, Southern Power announced the acquisition of the company's largest renewable energy project, the 299-MW Kay Wind facility in Oklahoma.
