Alta Luna Solar Project dedication celebrates addition of 109,239 solar panels

More than 100 people attended the Alta Luna Solar Project ribbon-cutting ceremony March 16, 2017, to celebrate the completion of a 258-acre, 109,239 solar panel facility in Luna County, near Deming, New Mexico. Tri-State will purchase power from the project for 25 years under the terms of a power purchase agreement with project owner D.E. Shaw Renewable Investments. Arizona-based DEPCOM Power will provide ongoing operations and maintenance services and Columbus Electric will supply station service power to the facility.

Tri-State CEO Mike McInnes attended the ceremony and gave opening remarks in support of the project, as did Columbus Electric’s General Manager Chris Martinez and Luna County commissioners. 

“It’s not as simple as it looks,” said Susan Hunter, Tri-State’s Business Development Manager. “As the project evolved, many different companies and firms were involved, from developer, to engineering and construction manager, to project operator – not to mention the Tri-State team that oversaw the project’s interconnection with our transmission system. We are pleased with the final product and thank all the partners, especially Columbus Electric for their support and collaboration. “

The 25 MW facility adds to Tri-State’s diverse generation portfolio which includes coal, natural gas, oil, hydropower, solar and wind.

Luna County was involved from the project’s inception and their support was integral to the success of the project. The county focused on local sourcing of jobs, catering, transportation, non-profit beneficiaries and other local support services; their goal is to generate economic benefits for the county.

The Alta Luna Solar Project is expected to power approximately 8,500 homes per year.