DE Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI), in partnership with El Paso Electric, has announced the start of construction on the Carne Solar and Storage project. Carne is a 130 MWAC solar and 260 MWh storage facility located in Deming, New Mexico, and is DESRI’s second solar facility in Luna County following the Alta Luna project, which started in 2017. The project will deliver clean, reliable power to the Southwest and move EPE closer to its goals of 80% clean energy by 2035 and 100% by 2045.
“DESRI is excited to continue our investments in New Mexico’s energy transition with our fourth utility-scale renewable energy facility in the state, and to build on our long-standing relationship with EPE,” said Hy Martin, DESRI Chief Development Officer. “Carne will provide reliable, cost-effective clean energy to EPE, as well as support the transmission grid with the planned large battery storage facility. Additionally, the project will support the local community with economic development opportunities for years to come. We are grateful for the support of EPE, Luna County, SOLV Energy and other stakeholders on the project.”
Carne has a 20-year power purchase agreement with EPE and is expected to commence commercial operations in 2025. The project is expected to generate enough clean energy to power about 37,600 homes annually, according to figures from the Environmental Protection Agency. Galehead Development and Lacuna Sustainable Investments were involved in the initial development of the project.
“EPE is excited to partner with DESRI to bring this latest renewable energy addition to New Mexico and build on our great working relationship. The Carne facility is 100% committed to serving our New Mexico customers and will be a critical resource in enabling EPE to meet customer demand needs and the requirements of the Renewable Portfolio Standard objectives of New Mexico,” said James Schichtl, Vice President of Regulatory Operations and Resource Strategy at EPE. “The battery storage component of the new facility will serve EPE’s largest customers and provide much-needed capacity and reliability for our customers in New Mexico. EPE looks forward to the successful completion of the Carne project and to future sustainable projects with DESRI in New Mexico.”
SOLV Energy will act as the engineering, procurement and construction contractor and will also provide ongoing operations and maintenance services to the project once it is operational.
“In addition to supporting EPE’s clean energy goals, Carne will create more than 300 construction jobs and provide the local workforce with on-the-job skills training and career development opportunities,” said George Hershman, CEO of SOLV Energy . “SOLV Energy and DESRI are working together on nearly four gigawatts of renewable capacity in the US. We are pleased to continue working together to deliver the benefits of clean energy to New Mexico as an EPC and O&M provider on Carne.”
News item from DE Shaw Renewable Investments
