Catching the Wind

Large equipment, including wind turbine blades, are traveling along U.S. Route 180 between Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon to the Babbitt Ranch Energy Center. Here, more than 50 wind turbines are being erected on Babbitt Ranches as Coconino County becomes one of the largest concentrations of renewable energy centers in the nation.

The 161-megawatt wind project is being developed by NextEra Energy Resources, the world’s largest generator of wind and solar energy and a world leader in battery storage. Electricity generated by wind energy is expected to power Salt River Project (SRP) households in 2024.

Meanwhile, earlier this summer, SRP and Clēnera, an Enlight Company, announced a power purchase agreement for an additional 394 megawatts (MW) of clean energy at CO Bar Solar outside of Flagstaff. This is the second agreement executed between Clēnera and SRP at the CO Bar Solar complex, and with both agreements, SRP has now procured nearly 1,000 MW, or 1 gigawatt (GW), of power from the project. Once operational in 2025, CO Bar Solar will offset more than 4 billion pounds of carbon dioxide emissions each year.

“This is not only the largest solar plant in Arizona and one of the largest in the United States, but it will also be the most significant solar resource in SRP’s energy portfolio,” said SRP CEO Jim Pratt. “SRP will be quadrupling the amount of utility-scale solar on our power system in just the next two years, with CO Bar Solar as a key part of this. Nearly half of all energy delivered to SRP customers will come from carbon-free resources by the end of 2025.”

“In our efforts to support the delivery of renewable energy, we acknowledge the terrific and wonderful participation of so many businesses and government entities involved in the process to make this happen,” said Babbitt Ranches President and General Manager Billy Cordasco, on behalf of the Babbitt Ranches Community. “We appreciate the valuable input from the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the Arizona Department of Transportation, the Arizona State Land Department, Coconino County and everyone involved in the Western CO Bar Legacy Conservation Community for the benefit of future generations.”

Benefits from the wind and solar projects include employment opportunities, increased business activity for local businesses and millions of dollars in additional tax revenue to help enhance roads and public services. QCBN

By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN

Courtesy Photo: Wind turbine blades like this one are arriving at the Babbitt Ranch Energy Center.