Origis Energy has begun on the Escalante Solar Project near Grants, N.M. The 200-megawatt solar project is at the site of the decommissioned Escalante Station, a 253-megawatt coal-powered plant that Tri-State closed in 2020. Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association has entered into a power purchase agreement for the output of generation from the Escalante Solar Project.
The project, located in Continental Divide Electric Cooperative's (CDEC's) service territory, will serve all of Tri-State's members, including CDEC and its other ten members in New Mexico.
By adding such a significant solar plant at the site of the former coal plant, a new tax base is being created for the area from power generation, while providing a stable cost of power for Tri-State's members.
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