Operating
June 2024
McKinley County, NM
Escalante Solar
A 200 MW solar project by Origis Energy for Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association.
A 200 MW solar project by Origis Energy for Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association.
Escalante Solar brings 200-megawatts of clean solar generation to Tri-State’s members, including electric cooperative members in New Mexico, under a power purchase agreement with Origis Energy. The project was announced in 2020 as part of Tri-State’s landmark Responsible Energy Plan and is located in Tri-State member Continental Divide Electric Cooperative’s service territory. Main photo credit: TurningPoint Energy
Roughly 500,000 solar panel modules are installed at Escalante Solar.
The project, located in Continental Divide Electric Cooperative’s (CDEC’s) service territory, serves all of Tri-State’s members, including CDEC and its other members in New Mexico.
Origis Energy Services providing operation and maintenance services for the project, employing approximately 4-6 on site jobs.
The project, located in Continental Divide Electric Cooperative’s (CDEC’s) service territory, serves all of Tri-State’s members, including CDEC and its other members in New Mexico.
Gridworks, headquartered in Albuquerque, N.M., provided construction services for the project, employing an estimated 400 people during that time.
Origis Energy Services providing operation and maintenance services for the project, employing approximately 4-6 on site jobs.
The project negotiated an Industrial Revenue Bond with McKinley County, N.M., which documents the project will pay approximately $7,100,000 in taxes to the County and $2,400,000 in taxes to the School District over the life of the project.
Gridworks, headquartered in Albuquerque, N.M., provided construction services for the project, employing an estimated 400 people during that time.
The project negotiated an Industrial Revenue Bond with McKinley County, N.M., which documents the project will pay approximately $7,100,000 in taxes to the County and $2,400,000 in taxes to the School District over the life of the project.
Escalante Solar Named Solar Project of the Year Over 10 MW by Solar Builder Magazine in December 2024
Gridworks, headquartered in Albuquerque, N.M., provided construction services for the project, employing an estimated 400 people during that time. Origis Energy Services provides operation and maintenance services for the project, employing approximately 4-6 on site jobs. Roughly 500,000 solar panel modules are installed at Escalante Solar.
By adding such a significant solar plant at the site of the former coal plant, a new tax base is being created for the area from power generation, while providing a stable cost of power for Tri-State’s members. Additionally, the project negotiated an Industrial Revenue Bond with McKinley County, N.M., which documents the project will pay approximately $7,100,000 in taxes to the County and $2,400,000 in taxes to the School District over the life of the project. Photo credit: TurningPoint Energy
Escalante Solar was built on the site of the former, 253 MW, coal-fired Escalante Station, which was retired in 2020, as Tri-State continues to pursue its landmark Responsible Energy Plan.
The project brings 200 MW of clean solar generation to Tri-State’s members, including electric cooperative members in New Mexico, under a power purchase agreement with Origis Energy.
