El Paso Electric receives 25MW of renewable energy from two solar power plants

El Paso Electric, or EPE, has announced that it is receiving 25MW of renewable energy from two solar power plants in New Mexico.
The energy purchases are part of El Paso Electric’s ongoing program to supplement its energy mix with renewable energy sources. In August, EPE began receiving energy from NRG Energy’s 20 MW (megawatts) Roadrunner Solar Generating Facility located in Santa Teresa, NM as part of a 20-year purchase power agreement. First Solar Inc. provided engineering, construction and procurement services for the project using its advanced thin film photovoltaic solar modules, and is the operations and maintenance contractor for the facility, the company said.

In July, EPE began receiving electricity generated from the 5 MW Hatch Solar Energy Center in Hatch, New Mexico. The Center is owned and operated by NextEra Energy Resources. EPE entered into a 25-year agreement to purchase all the power generated from the Center. The Hatch Solar Energy Center uses concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) solar power systems, powered by Amonix Inc., that incorporate dual-axis tracking to maximize energy production throughout the day. The Hatch Solar Energy Center is currently the largest plant in the US that utilizes this type of technology to harness the sun, the company added.

"These projects are part of El Paso Electric’s ongoing commitment to include solar energy as part of its overall energy mix provided to all its customers," said Rocky Miracle, Senior vice president, Corporate Planning and Development at El Paso Electric.

EPE entered into a 25-year agreement to purchase all the power generated from the Center. The Hatch Solar Energy Center uses concentrated solar photovoltaic (CPV) solar power systems, powered by Amonix Inc.