Dive Brief:

• Mississippi Power has partnered with the U.S. Navy and a pair of green energy companies to develop two solar generating farms with a total capacity of 53 MW, the company announced last week.
• The projects represent the largest solar installations in Mississippi.
• The bulk of the solar generation will be developed by the utility and Strata Solar, on 450 acres at Hattiesburg-Forrest County Industrial Park.

Dive Insight:

Mississippi Power's new solar projects will total 53 MW and are an example of the state's burgeoning clean energy focus. The two new projects combined will be the largest solar installations in the state.

“We are excited to be a part of this partnership to develop cost-effective, utility-scale solar generation to enhance our portfolio,” Mississippi Power President and CEO Ed Holland said in a statement. “Together these new solar facilities can produce the amount of energy used annually by approximately 7,800 homes."

Holland said the company must now wait for the Mississippi Public Service Commission to authorize the projects.

Mississippi Power said it 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 are developing a 50-MW solar project near Hattiesburg which will represent the majority of the new generation. In addition, the utility is partnering with the U.S. Navy and Hannah Solar at the Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport on a 23-acre, 3 MW to 4 MW facility. The project is part of the Navy's goal to produce or procure 1 GW 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,” Capt. Paul Odenthal, commanding officer Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport, said in the statement. “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.”

If approved by state regulators, the projects could be in service by the end of 2016.