Southern Power, Turner Renewable Acquire New Mexico's Largest Solar Facility

(RTTNews) - Southern Co (SO) subsidiary Southern Power and Turner Renewable Energy on Friday announced the acquisition of the largest solar facility in New Mexico -the 50-megawatt (MW) Macho Springs Solar Facility.

The acquisition fits Southern Power's business strategy of growing the wholesale business in targeted markets through acquiring generating assets and building new units. The acquired facility is expected to generate enough electricity to power more than 18,000 homes.

The Macho Springs Solar Facility was built and will be operated and maintained by First Solar. Electricity generated by the facility will serve a 20-year purchase power agreement with El Paso Electric.

Ted Turner, owner of Turner Renewable Energy, teamed with Southern Co through a subsidiary in January 2010 to form a alliance to pursue development of renewable energy projects in the United States.

The partnership has primarily focused on developing and investing in large-scale solar PV projects in the Southwest, where solar resources are most available. The Macho Springs Solar Facility brings the partnership's overall solar capacity to more than 290 MW.

Construction of the plant began in July 2013 and commercial operation is targeted for this week. The Macho Springs Solar Facility is located on an approximately 600-acre site in Luna County, N.M.