BrightNight and Cordelio Power Announce Commercial Operation of 300 MW Box Canyon Solar Project in Arizona

PHOENIX, June 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- BrightNight, the next-generation power and digital infrastructure company built to deliver clean and dispatchable solutions, its joint venture partner Cordelio Power, and the Southwest Public Power Agency (SPPA), Inc., announced today the commercial operation of the Box Canyon Solar Project.

The 300-megawatt utility-scale project, located in Pinal County, Arizona, about six miles north of the Town of Florence, represents the largest renewable energy procurement in SPPA's history. It is the first project in the 2.5 GW Arizona portfolio owned by BrightNight and Cordelio Power to reach commercial operation. BrightNight led the development of the Box Canyon project as part of its joint venture with Cordelio Power.

Concurrently with achieving commercial operations, BrightNight and Cordelio Power completed the previously announced tax equity investment with J.P. Morgan, through one of its affiliates, and Capital One, N.A. and converted the construction debt financing into a term loan.

The Box Canyon Solar Project exemplifies BrightNight's ability to deliver utility-scale clean energy solutions in high-demand regions while maximizing beneficial community impact. According to an economic impact study by Elliott Pollack and Associates, the project generated $47 million in economic impact in Pinal County during the construction period and created more than 300 American jobs. During operations, the Box Canyon Solar Project is expected to generate an estimated $134 million in local economic benefits - through property taxes, wages, and more - bringing the total county-level economic contribution to over $180 million.

In addition, the project is projected to generate more than $65 million in land lease payments to be allocated to the State of Arizona Land Trust over the lifetime of the project. The trust's beneficiaries include K–12 and university education, state hospitals, and other critical public services.  In separate community investment program, Box Canyon is donating a portion of the project's proceeds to fund scholarships for 50 students to complete Central Arizona College's electrician program over the next five years.

"SPPA is thrilled to now be suppling its members with safe, clean, reliable, and affordable electricity from the Box Canyon Solar Project.  From the very beginning, BrightNight worked to understand our long-term goals and successfully delivered a solution that meets the needs of our members and their customers, all on time and on budget," said SPPA Project Manager Dennis Delaney.

"We are delighted to partner with SPPA to help meet their power needs in a vibrant region undergoing rapid industrial growth and digital infrastructure expansion. At over 915,000 MWh of projected annual production, the Box Canyon Solar Project will provide reliable, clean and affordable energy for more than 40 years - generating local revenue, enabling continued economic growth in the region, and creating skilled American jobs," said BrightNight CEO Martin Hermann. "The project is a perfect example of BrightNight's 35-gigawatt portfolio across the United States, designed to meet urgent demand for reliable power in high-growth markets driven by industrialization, AI data centers, and electrification.  Built in just 15 months, the Box Canyon project demonstrates BrightNight's ability to deliver best-in-class, utility-scale projects with quality and speed to market."

About BrightNight

BrightNight is a next-generation power and digital infrastructure company, purpose-built to serve the evolving needs of utilities, data centers, and commercial and industrial (C&I) customers. As a leading integrated power producer, BrightNight delivers clean, dispatchable, and resilient power solutions. BrightNight's industry-leading 35 GW portfolio of best-in-class power projects is concentrated in the fastest-growing energy markets and data center hubs across the U.S.

BrightNight designs, develops, and operates large-scale energy and infrastructure sites that integrate utility-scale renewables, advanced gas generation, battery energy storage, and power-optimized hubs for digital infrastructure. This comprehensive approach enables customers to ensure 24/7 reliability, meet ambitious sustainability goals, and accelerate the transition to a digital future.

BrightNight's customer focus, seasoned team with deep sector expertise, and proprietary AI platform - PowerAlpha® - enable it to deliver industry-leading economics, performance, and uptime.

To learn more, visit www.brightnightpower.com.

About SPPA

SPPA is a Joint Action Agency, authorized under Arizona state law, which manages through a formal pool all or most of its members' power resources and facilitates the supply of additional energy needed to meet their customers' loads. SPPA's General Manager is Frank McRae and SPPA's Project Manager is Dennis Delaney, P.E., a Partner of K. R. Saline & Associates, PLC.

To learn more, visit: SPPA.biz

About Cordelio Power

Cordelio is an independent power producer that develops, builds and operates wind, energy storage and solar facilities. Cordelio manages a 1,700 MW operating portfolio across the United States and Canada and a development growth pipeline of over 22,000 MW of projects across the U.S. We strive to work with all of our stakeholders in an efficient, safe, and environmentally responsible manner. Cordelio is wholly owned by Canada Pension Plan Investment Board.

Forward-Looking Statements and Information:

Certain information contained in this news release constitutes forward-looking information or forward-looking statements (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward–looking statements. Forward–looking statements typically contain words such as "anticipate", "believe", "confirms", "continuous", "estimate", "expect", "may", "plan", "project", "should", "will", or similar words suggesting future outcomes, and include, without limitation, all financial projections, estimates of future costs, and projected performance or results. Forward-looking statements by their nature are subject to risks, assumptions and uncertainties which may cause the actual outcomes of such events to differ from BrightNight and Cordelio's expectation as of the date hereof. Whether forward-looking statements ultimately prove to be accurate will depend on factors outside of the control of BrightNight and Cordelio. Readers are encouraged to undertake their own analysis and investigation as to the reasonableness of any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as at the date of this news release and BrightNight and Cordelio disclaim any intent or obligation to update or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements.

SOURCE BrightNight