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SRP to Receive More Renewable Energy from CO Bar Solar

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One of the largest solar projects in the U.S. to operate in 2025.

Salt River Project (SRP) and Clēnera, an Enlight Company, have 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 Jim Pratt, CEO of SRP. “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.”

CO Bar Solar is a 1.2 GW landmark solar and storage complex being developed by Clēnera, a subsidiary of Enlight Renewable Energy. The project, which is expected to be one of the largest in the United States, will occupy up to 2,400 acres on Babbitt Ranches private land in Coconino County. Construction on CO Bar Solar is set to begin in the fourth quarter of 2023 and is expected to reach commercial operation in phases throughout 2025.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with SRP again on CO Bar Solar and providing them with reliable, clean energy,” said Gilad Yavetz, CEO of Enlight. “CO Bar represents a strategic project in Arizona, serving as a prime example of our approach to greenfield development that capitalizes on sizable interconnection positions.”

Jason Ellsworth, CEO at Clēnera, added: “We are excited to deliver increased access to affordable, clean renewable energy in Arizona. We look forward to a fruitful long-term relationship with SRP, as we continue to develop additional renewable energy projects in the state.”

Over the course of the CO Bar Solar construction timeline, approximately 550 construction jobs will be created, with many being local. Once complete, SRP will receive enough power from this resource to meet the needs of approximately 180,000 average-size homes.

“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. “We appreciate the valuable input from the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Arizona Department of Transportation, Arizona State Land Department, Coconino County and everyone involved in the Western CO Bar Legacy Conservation Community for the benefit of future generations.”

SRP officials say the utility has taken significant steps toward decarbonizing its power system while maintaining reliability and affordability. By the end of 2025, SRP expects to have more than 3,000 MW of renewables online. In addition to its renewable resource commitments, SRP has among the largest battery storage investments in the Western U.S., with over 1,100 MW of battery storage projects that will be online by the end of 2024. SRP officials say that with all the utility’s recent strategic resource additions and decisions, SRP is proving to achieve its sustainability goals. More than 75% of SRP’s energy is expected to come from carbon-free resources by the end of 2035. QCBN

Legendary Cattle Ranch Welcomes Renewables

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Wind turbines to co-exist with Babbitt Ranches cattle herd, wildlife conservation efforts and public recreation while golden eagle conservation complex being planned.

A renewable energy project is being planned by NextEra Energy Resources on the expansive high desert rangeland of Babbitt Ranches and Arizona State Trust Land, about 30 miles north of Flagstaff. The proposed Babbitt Ranch Energy Center is said to be an innovative project that combines wind energy, solar energy and battery energy storage – all in the same location – making more renewable energy available to customers for more hours of the day, even when the sun is not shining and the wind is not blowing.

The project will have a capacity of up to 161 megawatts of wind energy and 60 megawatts of solar energy, paired with a 60-megawatt, four-hour battery energy storage system. The Babbitt Ranch project is expected to create 250 jobs during construction. Once operational, the project has the potential to create good-paying jobs and millions in additional revenue for the local community.

“As Babbitt Ranches honors its 135th anniversary on April 7, we are celebrating a legacy of landscape-scale conservation stewardship, environmental and organizational sustainability, and healthy relationships with the land and the greater community,” said Babbitt Ranches President and General Manager Billy Cordasco. “Along with the Ranch Council and family members, we are creating the foundation now for a future that will create clean, renewable energy generation for the next generation and their children’s children that can co-exist with ranching operations, scientific research, wildlife conservation, dark skies protection and outdoor recreation.”

In a late-February Zoom public meeting, NextEra representatives discussed wind speeds, noise, viewsheds, lighting, public recreation, wildlife and ranching impacts, and the 20- to 30-year life of the project, which includes 61 wind turbines.

Representatives say wind speeds have been recorded at approximately 6 meters per second at the site and there is no evidence that noise will interfere with homeowners in the Valle community nine miles away; the closest residence will be five miles from a turbine. NextEra presentation materials state, “Infrasound and low frequency noise from wind turbines are not a health issue.”

Lighting, already being used by NextEra at its Perrin Ranch Wind Energy Center to the west, is designed to turn on at night only when low-flying aircraft are detected. In addition, the project will not be fenced, thereby allowing recreationists such as hunters, campers and hikers access to the land. Visual simulations reveal turbines will be visible from some locations on Highway 180 and State Route 64. Adjustments already have been made to move turbines more than half a mile from the Arizona National Scenic Trail to prevent sound and sight impacts.

SWCA Environmental Consultants say ongoing wildlife studies are underway. Meanwhile, livestock grazing is expected to continue as usual.
NextEra Project Manager Wardah Abbasi says the Babbitt Ranch Energy Center is being planned with sensitivity to environmental and cultural resources. Currently, NextEra is coordinating with the Arizona Department of Transportation and Coconino County on Hwy 180 traffic impacts during the construction phase, from December 2021 to December 2022. Operations are expected to begin in January 2023. Upon decommissioning, NextEra says with recent advancements in technology, now virtually all wind turbine components can be recycled, including turbine blades, and the land will be returned to its natural condition.

“This renewable energy endeavor aligns well with our conservation plans, which include protecting Northern Arizona’s open spaces, dark starry skies and grassland species such as pronghorn antelope, Gunnison’s prairie dog, the black-footed ferret and the golden eagle,” said Cordasco.

Babbitt Ranches holds one of the largest conservation easements in the country, with 40,000 acres, including Cataract Canyon, protected as open space and wildland in perpetuity. The pioneering land company has been instrumental in studying and managing habitat for the benefit of pronghorn. The Babbitts’ Espee Ranch has been the site for the reintroduction of the black-footed ferret that once teetered on the brink of extinction, while tens of thousands of acres of grassland have been restored from encroaching pinon and juniper trees, which helps species like prairie dogs and jackrabbits.

“We are particularly excited about the creation of our SP Crater Golden Eagle Conservation Complex, as there are multiple golden eagle nests northeast of the Peaks,” said Cordasco.

Babbitt Ranches also is measuring the darkness of the night skies stretching across the 750,000-acre ranch and will be seeking an International Dark Sky Reserve designation from the International Dark-Sky Association.

“The Babbitt Ranch project will bring many benefits to Coconino County, including employment opportunities, increased business activity for local businesses and millions of dollars in additional tax revenue to help enhance roads and public services for all residents of this community,” said Abbasi. “We look forward to developing the Babbitt Ranch project and generating low-cost, renewable energy in Arizona for years to come.”

For more information, visit the project web and Facebook pages at BabbittRanchProject.com and Facebook.com/BabbittRanchProject. QCBN

By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN