EDP Renewables North America (EDPR NA), a US-based renewable energy developer, Salt River Project (SRP), and Meta have introduced the 200 MW Brittlebush solar park (Brittlebush) near the town of Coolidge, AZ.
“This project will also move us closer to reaching our own goal to reduce emissions by 82% by 2035 while providing affordable and reliable power to our customers,” said Bobby Olsen, SRP Chief Planning, Strategy, and Sustainability Executive.
The project is the third renewable energy partnership between EDPR NA and Meta, and its total capacity will support Meta's data center in Mesa, AZ. Meta will also receive capacity from two other SRP resources, the 100-MW West Line solar facility, and the 300-MW solar plus battery Eleven Mile Facility.
Both projects will enable Meta to achieve its 100% renewable and net zero goals.
Brittlebush created more than 300 construction jobs and will host more than five permanent jobs related to the operations and maintenance of the facility. It will support the local economy by providing payments to local governments throughout its operating life, benefiting schools, health care facilities, fire departments, and other county services.
Brittlebush is EDPR NA's second operational project in Arizona supported by local land development partners in Arizona, including Saint Holdings, resulting in a total portfolio of 358 MW of solar assets throughout the state.
Currently, EDPR NA is developing a 96 MW Table Top solar park, formerly known as Casa Grande Carmel solar park, and operates the 158 MW Sun Streams solar park. Both projects have created a combined 400 construction jobs and 10 permanent operations and maintenance positions.
Through its Integrated System Plan, SRP found it will need to at least double the number of generating resources on its power system in the next 10 years. This will enable the company to meet increasing energy demand in Phoenix as it moves forward with the planned retirement of 1,300 MW of coal resources.
Additionally, SRP has more solar energy capacity under development, and over 1,100 MW of additional battery storage resources will be unveiled by the end of 2024.
