Escalante Solar Named Solar Project of the Year Over 10 MW by Solar Builder Magazine

GRANTS, N.M., Dec. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Origis Energy, and Gridworks announced Escalante Solar has been named Solar Project of the Year Over 10 MW by Solar Builder Magazine.

"Escalante Solar was a standout project in an impressive field of submissions this year," said Chris Crowell, Editor-in-Chief of Solar Builder. "Converting a decommissioned coal plant site – with challenging ground conditions – into a solar project to help meet the utility's emissions reduction goals is a powerful symbol of what's possible with today's solar industry."

The annual Project of the Year Awards celebrate the hard work of construction teams and installers, the creativity of engineers, the leadership of developers and the dedication of so many local businesses, government agencies and nonprofits, according to the magazine.

"We are quite pleased Escalante is serving the members of Tri-State with 200 MWac of affordable, reliable, clean solar generation," said Vikas Anand, CEO of Origis Energy. "This is a great time to thank Tri-State's leadership team for collaborating with us, and our engineering, construction and financial partners on the project. Our Origis team will keep developing projects that deliver."

Built on the site of the former 253-MWac coal-fired Escalante Generating Station near Grants, N.M, which was retired in 2020, the solar project began generating carbon-free electricity on June 1, 2024.

"It's always nice to be recognized by others for our work, but we are most proud of the benefits Escalante provides to Tri-State and its members and are grateful for the economic impact it has created for a variety of New Mexico-based companies," said Kevin Bassalleck, President of Gridworks.

Escalante Solar delivers enough power to serve an estimated 63,000 homes to Tri-State's members, including 11 electric cooperative members in New Mexico, under a power purchase agreement with Origis Energy. The project was announced in 2020 as part of Tri-State's clean energy transition and is located in Tri-State member Continental Divide Electric Cooperative's service territory. Escalante Solar was selected for funding as part of a nearly $2.5 billion award to Tri-State from the U.S. Department of Agriculture New ERA Program.

"As the largest solar project in the Tri-State generation portfolio, Escalante helps all our members get to 50% clean energy used in 2025, while meeting the requirements of New Mexico's Energy Transition Act five years ahead of schedule," said Duane Highley, CEO for Tri-State.

Gridworks, headquartered in Albuquerque, N.M., provided construction services for the project, employing an estimated 400 people during that time. Origis Energy Services provides long-term operations and maintenance services for the project, employing approximately 4-6 on-site jobs.

Approximately 500,000 Boviet solar panels were used in the project. Array Technologies headquartered and expanding in Albuquerque, N.M., provided solar tracking systems and solutions.

About Solar Builder

Solar Builder is a B2B media brand specializing in the residential, commercial and utility-scale U.S. solar markets. Benjamin Media and Solar Builder have been a trusted source for the latest solar news in North America since 2011.

About Origis Energy

Origis Energy is accelerating the transition to a carbon-free future by Reimagining Zero^SM. As one of America's leading renewable energy and decarbonization solution platforms, the company continues to expand and reimagine its contribution to the world's net-zero goals. Origis Energy puts customers first to deploy a wide range of sustainable solutions for grid power generation and performance, clean hydrogen and long-term operation of solar, energy storage and clean hydrogen plants across the U.S. Founded in 2008, Origis Energy is headquartered in Miami, FL. Learn more at www.origisenergy.com.

About Tri-State

Tri-State is a power supply cooperative, operating on a not-for-profit basis, serving electric distribution cooperatives and public power district member-owners in four states. Together with our members, we deliver reliable, affordable and responsible power to more than a million electricity consumers across nearly 200,000 square miles of the West. Visit www.tristate.coop.

About Gridworks:

Gridworks is a leading engineering, procurement, and construction firm dedicated to advancing sustainability and delivering innovative solutions in the renewable energy sector. With a strong focus on clean energy projects, Gridworks is committed to addressing the global challenges of climate change and building a more sustainable future. Gridworks provides turnkey solar and energy storage solutions for developers and utility clients through engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) as well as operations and maintenance (O&M).

SOURCE Origis Energy