Shell portfolio company Savion has broken ground on the first solar project at a reclaimed coal mine. The Martin County Solar Project ( MCSP ), located in Martin County, Kentucky, will begin commercial operation with a capacity of 111 MW, making it one of the first installations of its kind planned on reclaimed coal mine lands for renewable energy.
A strategic solar project at a reclaimed mine
The former Martiki coal mine in Pilgrim, Kentucky, is the site of this innovative solar project. Savion designed, developed, built and owned the facility, and estimates that MCSP will produce enough energy to power more than 18,500 homes in adjacent Kentucky counties annually for the next four decades.
[post_relacionado]This project marks a major shift in the energy sector in Kentucky, a state historically dependent on coal-fired power generation. The solar plant contributes to reducing emissions, while boosting job creation in the region. Construction of the solar project, which began in October 2023 and will be completed in December 2024, has generated more than 300 local jobs, supporting the community’s economy.
The company in charge has had the support of several important entities to make this project a reality. In 2021, the approval of a $231 million Industrial Revenue Bond and a $600,000 tax incentive were fundamental to its development. In addition, the virtual power purchase agreement with Toyota Motor North America, which will acquire 100 MW of the project, highlights the growing demand for clean energy solutions. In addition, Shell Energy North America has signed an agreement to purchase an additional 11 MW, demonstrating the company’s commitment to driving the transition to a greener energy model.
With MCSP, Savion is pioneering the use of reclaimed mining land for solar power generation, while contributing to the global goal of reducing carbon emissions. This project is part of Shell’s sustainability strategy, which seeks to go beyond carbon neutrality, and reflects Toyota Motor North America’s commitment to supporting the energy transition to clean sources.
Follow us on social media and don’t miss any of our posts!
YouTube LinkedIn Facebook Instagram X TikTok
Source and photos: Savion