Electric Coops Sign Renewable Energy Pact With East Camden Defense Contractor
by February 6, 2015 8:13 pm 188 views
Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp. and East Camden defense contractor Aerojet Rocketdyne have brokered a deal to build and manage the largest solar field in Arkansas, a 12-megawatt project that will have zero carbon emissions, company officials said on Friday (Feb. 6).
AECC and Aeroject Rockedyne, a subsidiary of publicly traded GenCorp., formerly General Tire and Rubber Co., said the 100-acre facility will be built in the Highland Industrial Park in East Camden by Nashville, Tenn.-based Silicon Ranch Corp.
Under its agreement, Aerojet Rocketdyne will purchase solar power for the company’s 1,200-acre site it leases in East Camden once Silicon Ranch completes the project, expected in late 2015. The new solar plant is expected to generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of 2,400 single-family homes and provide clean supplemental daytime power to both AECC and Aerojet Rocketdyne.
“Aerojet Rocketdyne understands the importance of solar energy especially when it comes to clean air, the natural environment and economic growth,” said Chris Conley, vice president of Environmental, Health and Safety for Aerojet Rocketdyne. “This agreement better positions our company to attain these objectives and is a critical step toward bringing more renewable energy to rural America. It will contribute to state and federal energy portfolio goals, as well as many of the economic challenges that face businesses.”
In addition, the solar power facility will not only provide predictable energy costs, but will also contribute to ongoing clean energy development and economic growth in South Arkansas, officials said. All excess solar energy will be released to AECC and integrated into the cooperative’s diverse generation portfolio.
Currently, the two companies already partner to provide Arkansas and AECC’s more than 500,000 members with additional clean energy. Ouachita Electric Cooperative Corporation (OECC), one of the 17 electric distribution cooperatives that make up AECC, is the utility service provider for Aerojet Rocketdyne’s 1,200-acre facility in East Camden, which produces propulsion motors for the Patriot missile system.
OECC, which distributes power to the Highland Industrial Park, assisted in the agreement by providing technical support, guidance and expertise in power production and delivery. OECC’s involvement with Aerojet Rocketdyne is a result of a Southern Arkansas University Tech initiative to explore distributive energy options and economic growth for rural Southern Arkansas, company officials said.
“OECC’s and AECC’s partnership with Aerojet Rocketdyne and Silicon Ranch is a means to bring new technology to south Arkansas while providing jobs, attracting new business and providing clean affordable energy for our members,” said Mark Cayce, general manager of Ouachita Electric Cooperative Corporation.
Matthew Kisber, president and CEO of Silicon Ranch, added that he believes the joint project will “spur positive economic, environmental and social advantages for the region.”
AECC’s agreement with Aerojet Rocketdyne is the second announcement this week involving the cooperative’s continued expansion into solar energy and renewable energy as President Obama’s so-called “dirty air” regulations loom on the horizon. On Monday, AECC announced that that it had reached an exclusive agreement with Minneapolis, Minn.-based tenKsolar Inc. to sell commercial-grade solar photovoltaic units across its six-state distribution footprint.
In November, AECC announced an agreement with Kansas-based Flat Ridge 2 Wind Farm to purchase wind energy for its Arkansas members. That contract was the first wind energy venture for AECC.