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Utah’s first utility-scale solar PV project has been fully commissioned by Scatec Solar ASA, an integrated independent solar power producer. The Utah Red Hills Renewable Park (URHRP) located in Parowan, Utah, has a capacity of 104MWdc and will generate approximately 210 million kWh of clean electricity per year.
The electricity generated by the plant will be fed into the local grid under a 20-year PPA signed with PacificCorp’s Rocky Mountain Power, according to the utility's obligation under the federal Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA).
"We are pleased to join Scatec Solar and Prudential in bringing solar energy to the state of Utah. We hope that projects like these will encourage the development of additional renewable energy throughout the state," said Nicolas Coons, Google's Head of Renewable Energy Investments, Developed Markets / Technologies.
Utah enacted the Energy Resource and Carbon Emission Reduction Initiative in 2008, setting to have 20% of renewable portfolio by 2025. The completion of URHRP, the first PV project built in Utah greater than 80MW, will accelerate Utah achieving its goal.
The plant was completed constructed within 12 months, demonstrating Scatec Solar’s capability to deploy solar power rapidly. Scatec Solar was named by Utah Clean Energy as the 2015 Clean Energy MVP for its contribution to the state’s clean energy solutions.
Scatec Solar has deployed nearly one gigawatt of renewable projects in Utah, with the 80MWac Three Peaks Power Plant in Iron County in prior to the completion of the Red Hills project.
The total investment for the Red Hills project is around US$188 million, combining Google’s tax equity, financial debts provided by Prudential Capital Group, and Scatec Solar’s sponsor equity. The project will be co-owned by Google and Scatec Solar while the project developer will also offers management and operation service for the plant in the future.