Elektron Solar, major Tooele County solar facility, begins commercial operation
The Elektron Solar Project north of Skull Valley in Tooele County has begun commercial operation, according to a release from the facility’s owner, D.E. Shaw Renewable Investments of New York City. Elektron Solar is an 80-megawatt solar facility that Shaw acquired from Enyo Renewable Energy in 2020. The project began construction in 2021.
“We are thrilled to have completed construction on the Elektron Solar facility,” said Hy Martin, chief development officer of Shaw. “While the solar industry has encountered headwinds in the past few years due to supply chain constraints and rising interest rates, this project was able to succeed due to the strong partnership from our customers and local stakeholders. Our team appreciates the ongoing support from the customers, Rocky Mountain Power and Tooele County.”
“The success of this project shows what happens when you set inspiring goals, work with the right partners and refuse to give up,” said Debbie Lyons, Salt Lake City sustainability director. “It delivers on a promise Salt Lake City leaders made nearly eight years ago: to source the majority of our electricity for municipal operations from renewable energy. And starting this month, that promise becomes reality.”
Elektron Solar has 20- and 25-year power purchase agreements with PacifiCorp under Rocky Mountain Power’s (RMP) Schedule 34 for renewable energy purchases to serve demand from a consortium of Utah customers, including Salt Lake City, Park City, Summit County, Utah Valley University, Vail Resorts on behalf of Park City Mountain and Deer Valley Resort. The facility was contracted under Utah’s Schedule 34 and allows the customers to aggregate their electricity demand to be able to achieve economies of scale by contracting projects with capacity greater than 5 megawatts. Elektron Solar is expected to generate enough clean energy to power approximately 19,700 homes each year, according to metrics provided by the Environmental Protection Agency.
“Rocky Mountain Power is pleased to continue its long partnership with customers and communities in Utah to take part in our renewable energy programs, including our existing renewable tariff options,” said Craig Eller, vice president of business policy and development for RMP. “This project represents a significant step forward in our collective efforts and we look forward to working with customers to develop additional projects and programs.”