In a noteworthy development in the renewable energy sector, a subsidiary of the renowned French power company EDF Renewables in North America has secured a groundbreaking 150MW solar-plus-storage power purchase agreement (PPA) with El Paso Electric, a prominent utility serving the region of New Mexico, United States.
This significant agreement paves the way for the construction of the Milagro solar-plus-storage project, slated to be situated on previously undeveloped private land in the Santa Teresa region of Doña Ana County. Anticipated to commence commercial operations in 2025, this initiative marks a pioneering endeavor for EDF Renewables in New Mexico. The storage component of the project is set to feature a substantial capacity, with 75MW output and a remarkable 300MWh capacity, boasting a four-hour duration capability.
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Matthew Beltz, Director of Origination & Power Marketing at EDF Renewables, expressed enthusiasm about this milestone, stating, “We are excited to build our first solar-plus-storage project in New Mexico and to support EPE as the project delivers long-term price stability, stimulates economic growth, and reduces emissions.”
This news follows EDF Renewables' recent transaction in the neighboring state of Texas, where they sold a 200MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant to Southern Power, a subsidiary of the esteemed utility, the Southern Company. Notably, this project holds the potential to scale up its power capacity to an impressive 500MW and is projected to become operational in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Furthermore, EDF Renewables has been actively pursuing similar ventures on the global stage, recently finalizing a parallel PPA in South Africa for a 115MW solar PV plant coupled with a 30MW battery energy storage system (BESS) output. These initiatives underscore the company's commitment to advancing clean energy solutions and reducing carbon emissions on a global scale.
