GULFPORT, Miss., May 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Mississippi Power and Origis Energy, along with officials from the Area Development Partnership and Lamar County, held a groundbreaking ceremony for what will be the state's largest solar facility.

When operational, the $100-million facility will generate 52 MW, enough electricity to power approximately 8,000 homes. Mississippi Power will receive all energy and associated renewable energy credits produced by the facility, which it may use to serve customers with solar energy or sell to third parties for the benefit of customers.

"This is an exciting day for all of Mississippi," said Mississippi Power President and CEO Anthony L. Wilson. "By working with Origis Energy and the Area Development Partnership, we will have nearly doubled the amount of electricity generated by renewable energy going to the Mississippi Power grid."

Members of the Mississippi Public Service Commission and local officials were also on hand for the ceremony, held at the Canebrake Country Club.  

In April, Mississippi Power and Silicon Ranch Corporation broke ground on a 50 MW utility-scale solar project in Hattiesburg. In March, Mississippi Power, the U.S. Navy and Hannah Solar broke ground on a 3 MW solar project at the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport, Miss.  Like the Lamar County project, Mississippi Power retains the flexibility to use the energy and RECs from these facilities to serve customers or to offer them to others for the benefit of customers.

The Lamar County solar facility will be on 590 acres and will feature more than 215,000 polycrystalline solar panels. The project will create up to 100 jobs during construction. It is scheduled to be completed first quarter of 2017 and will have a 25-year power purchase agreement with Mississippi Power. Throughout the PPA term, the energy generated from this project will provide power at a steady price and will not be subject to price variation seen with other fuel sources.

"This historic state solar facility is a clear indication of the commitment Mississippi Power, the state of Mississippi and Lamar County officials have to their customers, community and the Pine Belt region," said Chief Executive Officer & President of Origis Energy Guy Vanderhaegen. "By working together, these utility and community leaders are creating regional jobs. Our Origis team is honored to be part of the solar revolution now happening in Mississippi."

Lamar County Supervisor Dale Lucus said, "This solar project is a great fit for Lamar County and the tax revenue from the project will greatly benefit the county and the local school system. We appreciate Origis Energy's investment here in this great county and we look forward to partnering with them for many years on the largest solar installation in the state of Mississippi."

The Lamar County facility will not replace other Mississippi Power generating plants, but will have the capability to provide energy that will help diversify the company's generation portfolio.

About Mississippi Power
Mississippi Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), produces safe, reliable and environmentally responsible energy for more than 186,000 customers in 23 southeast Mississippi counties. Mississippi Power earned the 2015 ReliabilityOneTM Award for outstanding midsize utility for excellence in storm restoration and recovery efforts as well as being a leader in reliability, customer service and safety. Visit our websites at mississippipower.com and mississippipowernews.com, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ and YouTube.

About Origis Energy
Origis Energy is Powering the Solar Revolution^SM with custom clean energy solutions for utility, commercial and public sector clients. The Origis team has worked to ensure the interests of all stakeholders are upheld in more than 100 projects worldwide totaling 500+ megawatts to date of developed solar capacity. With offices in the U.S., Brazil and Belgium, Origis delivers excellence in solar project development, financing, engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) and operations, maintenance and asset management for investors and clean energy consumers across Europe and the Americas. For more information, visit www.origisenergy.com.

About the Area Development Partnership (ADP)
The Area Development Partnership (ADP) is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for citizens of Greater Hattiesburg through community and economic development. The ADP unites hundreds of individuals, businesses and organizations, creating a unique agency working to enhance the region's economy and build a better community. The ADP's economic development portfolio includes business recruitment, retention and expansion, project management, government relations, small business loans, and more. Information about the ADP is available at www.theADP.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:
Certain information contained in this communication is forward-looking information based on current expectations and plans that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking information includes, among other things, statements concerning the development, construction, and subsequent operation of the solar projects currently in development by Mississippi Power Company. Mississippi Power Company cautions that there are certain factors that can cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information that has been provided. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is not a guarantee of future performance and is subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the control of Mississippi Power Company; accordingly, there can be no assurance that such suggested results will be realized. The following factors, in addition to those discussed in Mississippi Power Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, and subsequent securities filings, could cause actual results to differ materially from management expectations as suggested by such forward-looking information: the ability to control costs and avoid cost overruns during the development and construction of generating facilities, to construct facilities in accordance with the requirements of permits and licenses, to satisfy any operational and environmental performance standards, including the requirements of tax credits and other incentives, and to integrate facilities into the Southern Company system upon completion of construction; and potential business strategies, including acquisitions or dispositions of assets or businesses, which cannot be assured to be completed or beneficial to Mississippi Power Company. Mississippi Power Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking information.

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SOURCE Mississippi Power

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