New Mexico Approves 4 More Solar Power Generators by PNM

By Anca Gagiuc, Associate Editor

PNM’s plan to build additional solar-powered generating stations has been unanimously approved by the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission. PNM will add four more solar photovoltaic facilities that translate into another 40 megawatts of utility-scale solar power.

The solar arrays will require an investment worth over $79 million. With the new addition, the solar capacity will allow PNM to meet the state’s renewable portfolio standard in 2016. That is when all of the state’s public utilities are required to derive a minimum of 15 percent of their electricity from renewable resources, meaning a five percent increase from today’s 10 percent.

The approval raises PNM’s solar capacity to 107 megawatts which could power 40,000 average homes in a year. Moreover, it is estimated that in 2015 the company’s wind, solar and geothermal resources will generate power used by 150,000 average residential consumers, save approximately 382 million gallons of fresh water at power plants and reduce carbon emissions by the equivalent of taking over 200,000 cars off the road.

The locations for the new plants have not yet been decided. “We have options on several sites in Santa Fe and in between Valencia and Sandoval counties,” NM Vice President for Regulatory Affairs Gerard Ortiz said. “We haven’t finalized the sites yet, but (the plants) will be installed in three or four locations.”

Photo courtesy of PNM’s Facebook Page.