Mammoth Solar Project Lands Another Purchase Agreement
(photo courtesy of Solar United Neighbors)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowOhio-based AEP Energy has signed another long-term purchase agreement for power provided by a 1,400-megawatt solar farm in northern Indiana. The utility says the energy will come from the second phase of the Mammoth solar project, which is set to begin construction next year.
The Mammoth project, located in Starke and Pulaski counties, is being developed by Israel-based renewable energy developer Doral LLC. Chief Executive Officer Nick Cohen says the project has strong community and government support.
“The economic impact through jobs, vendor contracts and taxes will work to revitalize the area,” said Cohen. “Pulaski County is utilizing its competitive advantage of being at the intersection of two electrical grid systems and having flat farmland as far as the eye can see. Instead of buying power from farmers in other states, Indiana and its farmers, through projects like Mammoth, have a real opportunity to be energy independent and even export power to neighboring states. Indiana is taking the lead as a true economic powerhouse.”
The second phase of the Mammoth project, known as Mammoth Solar II, is expected to be operational in 2024.
In April, AEP signed a deal to acquire power from the 480-megawatt first phase of the Mammoth project, known as Mammoth Solar I. That phase is expected to begin construction in the fourth quarter and be complete by the second quarter of 2023.
AEP Energy is a subsidiary of American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP), which also owns Indiana Michigan Power Co., headquartered in Fort Wayne.