USA: Arkansas about to host Stuttggart Solar Energy Center

The two American energy companies, NextEra Energy Resources and Entergy have announced, on May 9, the construction start on the Stuttggart Solar Energy Center, Arkansas’ largest universal solar energy project.

Located seven miles southeast of Stuttgart, the Solar Energy Center is to be created on 475 acres. By means of 350,000 photovoltaic solar panels, the facility aims to convert the sun’s energy to electricity. An estimation foresees the electricity generated capacity at 81MW, the consumption of up to13,000 households.

The well-established clean energy leader in the US, NextEra Energy Resources will be in charge of the construction and will own and operate the facility.

NextEra Energy Resources CEO, Armando Pimentel commented:
"We are pleased to work with our partners at Entergy to bring low-cost, renewable energy to their customers and introduce the first universal solar project of this scale in Arkansas."

The electricity generated at the Stuttgart Solar Energy Center is to serve Entergy Arkansas customers as stipulates the 20-year power purchase agreement.

Entergy Arkansas CEO, Rick Riley said: "This project allows Entergy Arkansas to diversify our power generation in the state and provide our customers with access to emissions-free, renewable energy at a good price."

The project is, besides, expected to create more than 250 jobs during the construction phase. Approximatively $8M additional revenue for Arkansas County would be generated.

The Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce’s CEO, Bethany Hildebrand added: "This project will provide good jobs, and Arkansas County businesses will benefit from the extra activity, too."